Issue 8 • Summer 2012

The Leader Learning to Lead our Lives

Working Together at MCS

The Leader celebrates the achievements and experiences of our students and chronicles the life of the school TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Student Design & Technology Work

Emily Yeates

Aled Priday

Amy Wallace Sally Oakley

Andrew Morgan Guy Erro Castillo

Beth Jones Alex Boyrazien Hex Chew Tsang

2 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Welcome Contents When looking between the 2 Student Design & Technology Work 3 Welcome covers of ‘The Leader’ I am 3 Editorial always reminded of how quickly 4 Leading with Learning life passes and also how much we 6 A Year in the Life... 8 A busy year for Olivia & Richard achieve as a school in one year. 9 Learning with Friends 10 Student Art My first reflection is probably to do 11 Awards Evening with age. My second because, of 12 Making an Exhibition of Ourselves course, I am very proud of our students 12 Art Trip to Oxford and all the staff, governors and parents 14 BBC Young Reporters 15 Youth Speaks who work together to secure though to include everything. We can 16 Diary of a ski trip novice… outstanding achievements for all our only provide a panoramic view. 17 Charity Roundup students across so many varied and As you read our magazine, remember 18 Music diverse areas of learning. 19 Student Design & Technology Work this is just the tip of the iceberg and 20 Rowing - Why Row? In my first year as Headteacher, I know every day students at our school 25 Annual Restorative Justice I am very privileged to be leading our achieve fantastic results and make Conference school and recognise the trust the progress that will lead them to their 26 Eco Council whole community has placed in me to own success. Every year Mrs Baker 26 Recycled Fashion 27 Sporting Round Up care, support and develop learning for achieves the impossible and produces 32 Science all our children. a school magazine which unashamedly 33 Y13 Leavers stands out from the rest. It is ‘The Mrs Wendy Baker, in her annual article 34 Careers and Higher Education Fair Leader’ Success about ‘A Year in the Life of Our School’, 35 Community Participation at MCS has chronicled as much as she can on Vaughan Davies 36 Iceland 2012 two pages. There is not enough room Headteacher 2012 37 Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Eisteddfod 38 A Welsh Evening 40 Serving the school.... 41 How do you keep the roadways clear in a massive shipping port? Editorial 42 Italy Sports Tour 46 Student Art Welcome to Issue No. 8 of The 47 2012 Trip to the Netherlands Leader. 48 Motion Racing 49 Monmouth’s Got Talent! A big thank you to all of our sponsors, 50 Summer Learning Year 7 both old and new; it is thanks to you 52 Summer Learning Year 8 54 Summer Learning Year 9 that we can provide this magazine free 56 Summer Learning Year 10 of charge to our students and the local 58 Out in the big, wide world.... community and I am very grateful for 61 Catering at Monmouth your support. I would also like to thank Comprehensive School all the students and staff who have 62 Out of School Achievements 64 Anyone for Petanque? contributed to the magazine over the 65 A Level Geography students visited last year – I know it feels a little strange by British Hazard Rescue worker when I am asking you for an article 11 65 Geography & PE visit to London months before the next magazine ! I am happy to receive details of out of and the Olympic sites school activities at any time during the 66 Religious Studies The Leader continues to showcase the year and I will always try to include 69 Thoughts from a former Head Girl 70 The Olympic Torch comes to MCS activities of the students both academic them in The Leader, wherever possible. and otherwise and I am pleased to be 71 Student Design & Technology Work 72 MCS Boat Club 2011-2012 Season able to bring you more out of school I hope you all enjoy this edition of our activities this year, showing you all just magazine. Front Cover: Georgia Bevan and Daisy Willcocks how amazing our students are. Wendy Baker, Editor School Photography by Des Pugh, Official School Photographer 3 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Leading withwith LearningLearning

‘The Leader’ shows that nothing stands still for too long at our school. Of course, you would not expect it to if we are preparing young people to live their lives in the 21st Century. As teachers, we reflect continually about what our students will be faced with in this new century.We think not only about their working lives but their whole life, their wellbeing, their dreams, hopes and ambitions.We develop continually our schemes of work, our practice and our provision to ensure that learning is relevant, authentic and holistic and will help students to be independent and lead their lives. We are always looking to the future and using the present to help to plan the way forward. ‘The Leader’ provides a glimpse of how we are moving forward into the 21st Century. This year has seen a significant investment in new technologies to support learning at our school. We have We have also focused on the fact that technology not been planning for this for some time but with money only changes the way in which we learn but how we learn. made available from Monmouthshire County Council Students are having to learn to deal with masses of and the Welsh Government, we have been able to develop information – more than could ever be contained within a our facilities to create a relevant and purposeful learning text book. No longer can a student impress with a quick environment. Students are now able to access learning panoramic view of a topic by cutting pieces together from materials that are up-to-date and authentic at any time. the Internet. Students are being supported to look for Students can, with new technologies, go out into the real patterns, connections, structures and depth. Far more is world and interact with it to make sure learning is relevant being expected of learners because we are no longer and real. Students can now link their learning across areas confined by the limitations of space, time and access to of the curriculum and communicate their understanding materials. The school at the same time is much smaller in in a variety of ways – essays, reports, databases, films, learning together but much bigger in what we do and presentations, cartoons and many, many more. For our achieve. students it is proving a more natural way of working because for them technology is second nature. It is such an exciting time for us as a school.

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Technology is changing the way we relate to each other and has implications for all our students. I am sure as parents you are sometimes perplexed by the way in which children now communicate and organise their lives. It is exciting but it also identifies challenges for us all; challenges ranging from security, trust and access to knowledge about an individual. At school, for instance, we know that electronic forms of communication can both support and compromise how we build relationships. For our students they will require support with this aspect of learning in order to lead their lives in the 21st Century. This year we have continued to develop our Relationships Policy to support all students in how they relate, communicate and build relationships. Our approach and practice has received recognition from the Welsh Government and students from our school met with Princess Anne earlier this year to talk about the way Throughout all these developments with learning and they have been supported in building their own self- looking forward it is important, though, that we never lose esteem and confidence to build successful relationships. sight of the fact that children are children and that will never change. All of us, when we are growing-up, want to be known and known well. We want to be able to dream, imagine and explore. We want to be able to learn from our mistakes and share our lives. We want to receive praise for what we do and be recognised for our talents. In the pages of this magazine we have tried to do just that. ‘The Leader’ brings together our students and their achievements, our community and our future. Vaughan Davies Headteacher

Technology will no doubt provide opportunities for us to communicate quickly as a community. As parents it may mean in the future that there is much more immediate information about your child’s progress. As teachers we can share learning across the school with all and between other schools.There is a bigger journey to come and we are only at the cusp of the technological revolution. As we prepare very soon to develop our campus and build for a completely different school, we will have to plan, as a community, what we want for our children and for the rest of the 21st Century.

5 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 A Year in the Life...

Summer Learning Week and a flurry achieved the award (equivalent to all – even the Romans needed to sit of trips (France, Belgium and three further GCSEs ).When taking down for a tea break ! Llangrannog) ended the Summer into account all the qualifications, the The Forms voted for their Council term on a high, but exhausted, note. school achieved 80% A* - C. Well Representatives at the beginning of done to all concerned. 9SB (now 10SB) were our champion October and our Councils met for the recyclers, deciding to save their prize Our first event, Awards Evening, took first time, ready to face the busy year until they are in Y11, to ensure they place on 15th September when we ahead, including their involvement in have a last trip together before they were delighted to welcome Olympic the recruitment of a new Headteacher leave school in May 2013 – some time Gold Medal winner Matt Ryan, an for MCS. away but I am sure it will be upon us before we can blink!

A group of our Y9 Geography and inspiring choice for the coming August brought our exam results with Y13 BTEC students were lucky Olympic year – see page 11. 144 of our Sixth Form students enough to visit some of the Olympic celebrating their success in their A A Level Fine Art and the Applied Art Sites in November. They also visited Level and B.T.E.C. Examinations.The students put on a well attended the Natural History Museum where Pass rate was 98%, with over 82% of exhibition at the Oriel Jones Gallery in students looked at material relevant to students achieving the very highest Monmouth and a further opportunity their new unit on Natural Hazards. three grades. This meant a 4.5% to exhibit work from the whole school Our Geography students were also increase in the very top grades at the came with the Joint Schools Exhibition visited by Paul Simmons, a local school, with 30% of students obtaining at The Shire Hall, details to be found fireman with South Wales Fire and to the very highest grade. The following on page 12. talk about his work with the UKISAR week saw our nervous Y11 students (United Kingdom International Our students once again rose to the arrive for their GCSE results, but Search and Rescue unit). Details of Harvest Collection challenge, filling they had nothing to fear as the both these events can be found on the Meeting Room with donations results across all subjects and courses page 65. which were passed to The Wallich, a by Y11 students at MCS were the charity supporting the homeless in The Monmouth’s Got Talent semi highest ever. 73% of all GCSE grades Cardiff. finals took place at the end of achieved were at A* - C, with over November, in preparation for the 42% gaining the highest two grades. In Open Evening rounded off September March Final at the Blake Theatre – a addition, the school offered for the when our prospective parents visited very difficult choice for the judges as first time the prestigious Welsh us to tour the Faculties and see how the standard of performance was so Baccalaureate Qualification to all much is on offer at Monmouth high. students in Y11 and over 80% Comprehensive. A busy evening for

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Our usual flurry of activities Easter brought the Sports Tour of in December included the Italy, details on pages 42-45, and the Y7 Christmas Fair, the Y7 Geography trip to Holland, page 47. Christmas lunch and where students once again proved pantomime visit, the Carol themselves a credit to the school. Service and the Interform The middle of May saw our Y11 Creative Days for Years 7, 8 students enjoy their Prom and 9. Details of these days (congratulations to Prom King and can be found on page 31. Queen, Max and Celeste) before The Y7/8 Christmas Disco settling down to the serious business of finished off the term. exams, with Y13 leaving us at the end Fortunately, this year the of May. Christmas holiday period was Two of our students, George Ryley uneventful without burst (Y12) and Megan Jephcote (Y9) had pipes and flooded rooms! the honour of carrying the Olympic February saw the Eisteddfod Torch as it travelled through the area, rehearsals start in the build up something I am sure they will to the main event on Friday remember for the rest of their lives. 2nd March. Forms worked Our Y11 Rugby League team have had hard, practising routines until a successful season (page 29) they were perfect. culminating in them lifting the Wales Interviews took place for our Schools Carnegie Cup in May – well Headteacher position which done to Mr Penny and the team. saw Mr Vaughan Davies Our young footballers had a confirmed in place for tremendous end to the season as you September 2012. will see on page 27, winning four Cup Our Eisteddfod, featured on Finals in three days. pages 37-38, was a riot of The Charity Committee had another colour and talent. April saw fabulous year, raising over £6,000, see our first Evening in Wales, a page 17 for full details of the year. tremendous success attended by The Mayor and his consort. This year the MCS Friends Association supplied the school with Ella Sutton and George Thomas PA equipment and mountain bikes were triumphant at Monmouth’s and a ‘green button’ box in Waitrose got Talent on 9th March – a during May meant the school would brilliant fundraiser organised be receiving Kindles for our literacy by our Head Boy and Girl, programme. A Promise Auction is in Richard Middleton and the pipeline for October 2012 and Olivia Grice, together with the there is still time to donate a ‘promise’ Joint Schools Council. The if you are able to. money raised went to Monmouth Aid and Bridges. Following his athletic success last year, You will see Ella and George’s Y11 student Ryan Lee has continued account of this competition on his improvement this year, details of page 49. Their prize was a which can be found on page 28. recording session at Nimbus All in all, another jam-packed year at Studios and at the time of going MCS, including all the out of school to press they have recorded their activities our students are involved in, music and are looking to get it out which are featured in more detail this to a wider audience. year on pages 62-64.

7 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 A busy year for Olivia & Richard

Olivia Grice Richard Middleton Head Girl Head Boy Reflections of my role Enjoying the Ride... When reading the articles written by It has been a rollercoaster of a year for Livvy previous Head Girls and Boys, I thought the and me; we’ve interviewed Headteachers, time when I would have to write mine dined in the Shire Hall and organised wouldn’t arrive for a while, but the year has another successful ‘Monmouth’s Got flown by and It’s quite sad to know our Talent’ in cooperation with Monmouth time as Head Boy and Girl is coming to an School and HMSG. Now it’s time to look end. Rich and I have had so many great back at the ups, the downs and the experiences and events that I know we will backward loops; an opportunity for us to take with us through life. From the speech say ‘Diolch yn fawr’ and work out what at the Women’s Festival to Monmouth’s we’ve done. Got Talent, the opportunities I have had this The year began for us back in April 2011 year have been fantastic. when we were appointed but it didn’t really After being appointed in April 2011, our get going until we returned to School after first official event wasn’t until Awards the summer break. From then on we had to Evening in September. It was fantastic to hold on for the ride of our lives. I remember see all the amazing students that attend sitting down to Chair our first School Monmouth Comprehensive School and Council meeting and wondering what on hear their stories and achievements. We earth we’d got ourselves into; after a while (and a few gentle safety stops) waited nervously on the side, before giving our ‘vote we managed to work out what was happening and settled into our new of thanks’ speech at the end of the ceremony. A roles. My role came with the added bonus of acting as Livvy’s walking, daunting task, but a successful one too. It prepared talking diary… us for many more speeches to come. When January arrived, so did a new challenge; interviewing prospective Amongst all the meetings with the School and Year Head Teachers for our school – a job that we and the School Council did Councils, March arrived bringing a busy month. The not take lightly. The Council wrote its own questions, identified criteria for Final of Monmouth’s Got Talent was a chance for success and eventually interviewed five candidates. It was a challenge but Monmouth Comprehensive to showcase its most one that the students who took part rose to; they conducted themselves talented students. However, choosing from our 13 fantastically and were a credit to the school. After some difficult acts in the semi-final back in November was a huge deliberations and detailed interrogations, the student panel gave its task as all our acts were brilliant. We were immensely feedback to the Governors and Mr Davies was appointed as our new Head proud of the performances at the Final, and so were Teacher. I cannot thank the Student Council enough for their hard work in the audience as George and Ella won the preparation and to the seven students who made up our panel – you were competition, and Freya and Ele Dow were chosen to amazing, guys! record at Nimbus records because they were so talented. Another month, another event; March brought the Final of ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent 2012’. We’d already seen a fantastic semi-final at MCS in This was not the only event in March for me, as I had November, featuring 13 amazing acts from our school. It’s normally 12, but to open the Women’s Festival Awards Evening with we just couldn’t choose! Four of our acts went through to the Final and one a speech about what the Festival meant to me. This of them succeeded! George Thomas and Ella Sutton won the opportunity was the first event I had been to without Rich, but to record at Nimbus Records’ studios in Wyastone Leys. Not only did MCS two of the excellent prefects, Rosie and Caitlin, win for the first time (!), a second of our acts, Freya Johnson and Eleanor accompanied me for support. This was a lovely Dow, were also invited to Nimbus after one of the judges thought they night, and it was great to hear how many amazing were so talented. Diolch yn fawr iawn to everyone who competed, women there are in our community. I spotted a few supported or came along to Monmouth’s Got Talent this year. faces who won awards from our school too! Rollercoasters are normally fun for at least a couple of minutes: this one has So with our year finally closing, and the new Head been fun for a whole year. It has been a fantastic end to the last seven years Boy and Girl appointed, I feel so privileged to have at MCS. Diolch to the teachers and support staff who’ve helped, supported been given the opportunity to be Head Girl. and checked I wasn’t falling off the rollercoaster. Thank you to the friends However, my year wouldn’t have been as successful if it wasn’t for the support from Rich, Tilly, Robbie who’ve ridden along with me, screaming wildly with their hands in the air and all the prefects. The role has taught me so many - it has been amazing! Time to swap rides and move on to the next step, skills and improved many others. I know that I will taking a few photographs with me, as souvenirs. look back on it with fond memories in years to come. One tip for next year’s officials: life is a rollercoaster, just hang on! Diolch yn fawr Ysgol Gyfun Trefynwy.

8 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Learning with Friends With the help and support of the MCS community, the Friends Association has a big aim - to make a real difference: not just by raising funds, but also using Friends' enthusiasm, skills and experience to create real learning opportunities for students and support for parents. Last year, through fund raising, through the media of film. Students will we purchased a professional PA improve their skills of communication and system which has been extensively literacy through organising the club and used at Bands’ Night, Welsh Night, reviewing films online. We plan to extend this Monmouth's Got Talent and many learning into our local community using our other activities that have supported local theatre. learning outside the classroom. The To help the school to purchase a number of Friends have recently purchased 20 new Kindles to support literacy, and to mountain bikes to enhance the current provide giant IT screens for stock - they will be used to support the communal use to support PE curriculum and the after communication across the school Mountain Bike Club. campus, the Friends will be The Charity Committee has holding a Promise Auction in also provided the Friends October 2012. We look forward with welcome support and to bringing the school community valuable input at our together for a great evening. meetings, a valuable learning Meetings are held monthly during experience for all. We term time, all are welcome and particularly enjoyed supporting we aim to finish business in just the school's Charity Committee one hour - and we usually succeed! and World Challenge students at their Zumbathon! Did you know.... all parents, guardians, teaching staff, non teaching staff, and A small, but dedicated, group of Friends has been working hard Governors are automatically members of the Friends Association. towards the launch of a Film Club that will support learning

9 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Student Art

Zak Carey Jed Tattersdill

Annie James Kalie Vallis

Gweniver Tremayne-Exton

Elysia Evans

Joanna Green

Jacob Picken Jodie Beddoes

Oriane PierrepointJoanna Green Oriane Pierrepoint Megan Scantlebury

10 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Awards Evening

Our school year started off with Awards Evening, when we were delighted to welcome Olympic Gold medallist equestrian Matt Ryan to the school to present the prizes. Ella Phillips and Will Korb were given the opportunity of interviewing him prior to the ceremony, as Monmouthshire Olympic Young Ambassadors at the school. Ella gives her thoughts below. An Interview with Matt Ryan When asked to interview Matt Ryan, I was instantly at the Awards Evening he mentioned this theory again and overwhelmed. Despite, as part of my role, meeting Olympians talked of the time he visited Redbrook Equestrian Centre and previously, it was an honour to be able to ask questions showed the students there a picture of himself falling off his concerning his career and other aspects of his life. Will and I horse to back up his theory. were given questions to ask on behalf of the Media club which We later asked how he found British equestrianism. “I came to was helpful as it meant we were asking questions that Britain in 1984 to train with Richard Meade which was an represented what other students wished to find out. When honour to say the least. Richard Meade is an incredible asked who his main inspiration was he replied “There were equestrian himself and I very much appreciated training with many inspirational figures in my life as I grew up. I have three him. I hope to see him in the London Olympics 2012 although older brothers who all supported me and motivated me to we would be competing at different ends.” It seemed, from his succeed. My family have always helped me to achieve and they previous answers, that his family were a huge inspiration to him are all, individually, huge inspirational figures.” He continued to so we went on to ask whether his family influenced him to ride talk about his family when asked what the proudest moment of or whether it was his own decision to begin his career, “My his career was; “I competed, with the team, in the 2000 older brothers all rode and horses have always been a large part Olympics at Sydney. Although I obviously felt a large pressure to of my life. It seemed natural to follow in their footsteps. At first perform well, having my family and friends in the crowd it never occurred to me to ride professionally but as I ensured that I remained focussed and I would say that winning progressed, along with my family’s support, I began to aspire to gold in my country, with my family and friends present, was a achieve great things as any young boy would!” Matt Ryan’s fantastic feeling - the best of my career.” older brother, Heath Ryan, competed at the Beijing Olympics so Obviously, horse riding is a popular sport and we even have it it would seem that success runs in the family! available as an extra curricular activity in school so we asked if Our final question was what his biggest struggle had been as a he had any advice for young riders in our school “Well, I competitor where he replied “As any sportsperson will know suppose the most important piece of advice I could give to any there will always be a struggle along the way to achievement, aspiring rider, or any athlete for that matter in a metaphorical Despite making the team for the 1996 Olympic Games in sense, would be that no matter how many times you fall off Atlanta I was forced to withdraw just days before due to the your horse, getting back on is the biggest step you have to take injury of my horse. This was hard to deal with at the time to succeed. Success doesn’t happen overnight; you’re going to because mentally I was prepared and I had bonded with the fall down and you’re going to struggle but if you keep at it will team but I was forced to simply watch. This made my Gold be worth the bruises you endure on the way! As my coaches Medal at the Sydney Olympics even greater in a sense! I am very told me before my individual performance at Barcelona ‘Success much looking forward to the London 2012; it is set to be a has been, and continues to be, defined as getting up one time fantastic Olympic Games!” more than you’ve been knocked down.’” Later, when speaking Ella Phillips

11 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Making an Exhibition of Ourselves Aphra Das Gupta Last years’ A Level groups had the opportunity to exhibit their work in a number of venues. The Applied Art group were set a brief, A further opportunity to exhibit work based around the sculptures in the came in the autumn with the Joint Forest of Dean. They then put on an Schools Exhibition at The Shire Hall last exhibition at Beechenhurst Lodge that September. This was a new enterprise described their project and the processes taken on by the Wye Valley Arts Society they went through to produce their final to revive an old tradition of the three pieces. Their work showed a rich and secondary schools in Monmouth varied response to the brief with some exhibiting together. Jed Tattersdill positive feedback from the Forest The show proved to be an outstanding Connections retail outlet and members success with our artwork looking of the public. amazing. Both A Level Fine Art and the Applied This year we are hoping to exhibit work Art students put on an exhibition at the as part of our new Faculty Showcase, Oriel Jones Gallery in Monmouth. This with work displayed alongside proved to be a real success.The students performances from the Music and work looked fabulous and the Private Drama Departments. View was well attended. Mrs J Boswell, Faculty Leader, The Fine Art class went on to gain 80% Performing and Expressive Arts Joanna Payton A* at A level, our best result yet. Art Trip to Oxford

We collected together at the Bus Bay for we went through the city. We went into 8.45am, ready for the day ahead. The the gardens and after a quick talk from journey was long and loud and we were Mrs Boswell we all walked around the all relieved to get off the hot bus in gardens, taking pictures to get ideas for Oxford. As we walked around the corner our artwork. The greenhouses with the to the museum we all had a look at the cacti were particularly useful and the grand architecture of the Natural Rainforest House gave us good leaf History and Pitt Rivers Museum. We shapes and textures to draw. We had had a talk from a professor from the more time in the afternoon to look Museum and he spoke to us about some around and draw so some people ideas for Natural Forms in the museum. finished their drawings from the Natural He brought out a zebra skin and two History Museum. Other people used snake skins. He also showed us the shells their time to make a start on new of some marine creatures. We took drawings of the gardens. We packed up pictures of the objects before splitting ready for the bus and eventually arrived into groups and looking around the back in Monmouth at 4.45pm. museum. We would like to thank all of the Art After about 45 minutes of looking Department staff, the bus driver and the around, many people started to sit down staff of both the Natural History and draw until lunchtime. We gathered Museum and the Botanical Gardens.We together and sat out on the grass and ate thoroughly enjoyed the trip and learned lunch. We viewed a few people’s work new techniques through drawing the before walking into the centre of Oxford things we had seen during the day. to go to the Botanical Gardens. Georgie Chadwick Yet again we studied the architecture as and Alex Davies

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The only downside is that Welsh is not widely spoken but that’s BBC Young Reporters what makes it unique. Just recently Monmouth Comprehensive School has hosted a On Thursday the 15th of March, a group of lucky Y7 students local Eisteddfod which people thought was amazing because it were invited to experience the pressures and deadlines of a real shares and keeps the Welsh heritage alive. newsroom, as Monmouth Comprehensive School took part in As one of the Welsh teachers pointed out “the Eisteddfod is an its third BBC School Report Day. extremely good way to promote the language and culture to the After a thorough briefing, the aspiring reporters were issued students of our school”. with their all-important BBC reporter badges. A quick editorial As the Welsh show is coming up on the 5th April, Welsh has meeting later, and students divided into groups in order to become even more relevant to the school and with the likes of gather their stories. Tom Jones and Marina and the Diamonds performing in front The day was spent planning, interviewing, photographing and of international audiences, this how Wales is showing off its typing up the stories. The added pressure of the three o’clock talent. This is coupled with Wales’ spectacular victories in the deadline helped keep the young reporters focused, and at the rugby so be sure to watch the match on the 17th March as they end of the day they were able to breathe a sigh of relief at a job will try to get a Grand Slam!! extremely well done. Monmouth Comprehensive has been Here are some of the stories reported on BBC School Report day: working very hard to raise money Healthy body? Healthy mind! for Sport Relief Monmouth Comprehensive School students like to think that their Planned activities include non-school uniform, mystery health is of the highest standard. They will always try to improve entertainment and a 24 hour football match. The football match is their health to the best of their ability. This was proved when they held in the Monmouth Leisure Centre sports hall. won the Healthy Food Award. A big thank you to the Charity Committee for organising all of these When we interviewed students from Monmouth Comprehensive events.When we spoke to Charity Events Coordinator Miss Feldon School about the wellbeing of the school in general and, specifically, she said ‘We raise money for Sports Relief every year and it is a their eating habits, they said “I think we have a very good range of tradition at our school. It makes students and staff think of other food to choose from and it is made from the best quality ingredients”. people as part of our global community. We will be putting on From our investigation, all of the students think that the food is of a mystery entertainment on the active zone and a non-school uniform high standard and its health level is great for them because it makes day.’ a difference to their overall learning environment. Last year the school raised £2000 which paid for 8 children to go to Josey Worgan, the Catering Manager, thinks that people buy lots of primary school for 1 year in Kenya.This year we hope to raise even healthy foods but she hopes people replace zingy burgers for the salad more! bar because she thinks it is healthier. Dominic, in Y8,is very proud of his father who is taking part in a The school aim is ‘Learning to Lead Our Lives’ and with a healthy 24 hour football match. He told us that his father is hoping to raise diet that should be possible and, hopefully, this will encourage people over £200.We asked him ‘why did your dad want to take part?’ to eat healthily. Dominic said ‘my father enjoys helping others and is going to give Keep It Cymru! the money to Sports Relief. Monmouth Comprehensive School will do it’s very best to raise Monmouth Comprehensive School prove why it is! money, make a difference and have fun for Sports Relief! Over 1500 students, 67 Forms and over 80 classrooms make up Monmouth Comprehensive School. While some would say it isn’t necessary to learn the Welsh language, they would be wrong. We are going to tell you about the relevance of the brilliant language! We asked Ted,a Year 9 student, if he enjoyed learning Welsh. Like a lot of students he replied “Yes I do because it’s a new, different and exciting language and there are many jobs and careers which can benefit from learning Welsh.” Another beneficial factor to learning Welsh is that it provides the necessary language learning skills needed to learn other languages: determination, understanding, and memory skills can all be developed from learning Welsh. A Sixth Former, Liam, pointed out “it will help me get a job in Wales in the future, something I have been looking forward to!”

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the team as ‘wow, wow, wow!’ This sent us on our way to the National Semi-Finals in Stafford. Youth Speaks Ellie said she enjoyed participating in the event because it has been “amazing for my confidence to speak in front of others.” Reuben was proud to participate in an event that “is a great opportunity to introduce young people to the world of public speaking as well as providing a forum for students to voice their interests and passions.” Harry was astounded by the “wide variety of topics discussed - everything from Tuna fishing to whether Britain should raise a superhuman race to compete in the Olympics. We took an elephant named Political Correctness and discussed whether or not political correctness is slowly ballooning out of control.” Merlin Gable, George Thomas and Sophie Dowle competed valiantly as part of our Senior team but, unfortunately, were unsuccessful on this occasion. The competition at the National Semi-Finals in Stafford on “The Rotary Youth Speaks Competition provides practice the 24th of March was very stiff and, unfortunately, we did for a set of skills that are ever more necessary in an ever not make it through to the National Final but thoroughly changing and fast moving world.” Reuben Pierrepoint enjoyed the whole experience. We would definitely stepped into the role of Chairperson as he set the tone of recommend the competition to any budding speakers and Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Intermediate entry to would like to thank Monmouth Rotary Club for sponsoring this year’s event in the Highnam Community Centre. The us and all the Rotary Clubs who helped to organise the event. judges awarded the team, which also consisted of Ellie Aston I am sure we will see many more Youth Speaks trophies in as Speaker and Harry Lloyd as Proposer of the Vote of our trophy cabinet in future! Thanks, first place at this year’s District Finals; describing Reuben Pierrepoint, Ellie Ashton, Harry Lloyd

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15 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Diary of a ski trip novice…

I was very fortunate to go on the Austria Skiing trip, especially as so many of my friends were going as well. It was a fantastic experience and we had a lot of fun either learning a new skill or practising an old one. It was my first time both skiing and going to Austria and I was initially sceptical about learning a new skill - but if I was given the option to do it again I definitely would. Jack Whittaker,Year 10 Friday in the beginner group and started on the well as some joke awards such as the We got on the bus after a day in school. green slopes, learning the basics of biggest ‘bail-outs’ and the most whiny There was an excited atmosphere on the skiing. person award! bus as everyone was looking forward to Monday-Wednesday Friday getting there. Although a 30 hour bus Throughout these days we got up early It was our last day on the slopes and we drive awaited us, everyone seemed in order to let everyone have a shower. only had half a day. As we were leaving positive. As we began our journey we We had breakfast downstairs and left for for the bus it came to our attention that had things like films and music to the slopes. Each day we gradually four people from our group were entertain us and collectively the bus improved and we were using the missing. It turns out they were following brought enough Doritos to feed a chairlifts to go up the mountain by someone they thought was the instructor hippo. Late Friday night/early Saturday Tuesday afternoon. The concept of the but turned out to be a random skier who morning saw us getting on the ferry.This chairlift felt alien to me the first time I wasn’t affiliated with our school. Luckily is when the fatigue started to kick in went on it, and when prompted to get off Miss Biddle came across them while and many people choose to go to sleep I snapped my ski pole straight in half they were lost and got them to the in various places around the ferry because I got it stuck in the door! bottom of the hill safely. When we got including the floor by an unplugged Between getting back to the hotel and back we were given an early dinner. We arcade machine. having dinner we were allowed to go into left early evening and although we were Saturday town in order to look around the various sad to leave, we looked forward to We got off the ferry early Saturday shops. After dinner there was always getting back as it was Christmas Eve the morning and continued our journey on entertainment such as swimming (where next day. the bus. By this time people were getting there were various slides and a heated tired and the excitement began to die pool in the freezing outdoors) and Saturday (a.k.a. Christmas Eve) down as they fell asleep. On Saturday bowling (with a complementary drink). We got back on the ferry early Saturday we went through France, Belgium, morning to a similar long journey, aside Thursday from the fact that the sun was shining. Luxembourg and Germany before we This was our last full day on the slopes got to Austria. The journey took a little Once back at school, everyone was being and we went all the way from the top of longer than expected so we arrived at collected, except me! I had attempted to the mountain. We were given the night, but we were in time for dinner. call my home several times on the coach opportunity to do a timed run on a ski After dinner everyone went to their ride back and couldn’t get a response; course. Instead of going to the town, we rooms and settled in. this led to me being at school with went to a shopping mall.This gave us the nobody to pick me up. Luckily a parent chance to buy gifts and souvenirs. After Sunday took pity on me and drove me home - a dinner, we split into groups and had a On Sunday morning we got our boots big thank you to Mr Bradley! and skis fitted. After doing this we had to quiz based on 2011. This included walk from the beginning of the ski resort naming extracts from songs, Harry Overall the Austria trip was a great to the entrance as we had arrived at the Potter characters and stadiums. After a success and I hope to go again before I wrong end (a feat that proved very short break there was an awards evening leave MCS. challenging in ski boots), we were split when ski slope times were revealed, We would all like to thank Mr Osborne, off into groups of skiers and medals awarded and achievements in Mr Bird and all the other staff who came snowboarders, then by experience. I was skiing and snowboarding honoured as for making the trip unforgettable.

16 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Charity Roundup

The Charity Committee has enjoyed another hugely successful and fun year with a current total topping £6,000. Thanks to the new group of enthusiastic Y12s adding to the dedicated Year 13s, there hasn’t been a dull moment!

When I took on the role of Head of the Charity Committee in September, I knew there was a lot to live up to. Last year was so successful that I was determined to make this year even The Charity Committee has also held numerous non-uniform better. We’ve had an extremely busy year raising money for days with exciting new themes, organised bake sales, served local charities such as the Welsh Air Ambulance and The refreshments at Parents’ Evenings and school events and Little Princesses Trust, as well as supporting Sport Relief, organised discos - it has been a busy year! The school also Children in Need, Operation Christmas Child, Breast Cancer came together to collect hundreds of items for a harvest Awareness and so many more worthy national and collection with the items going to a non-profit organisation international charities! called Wallich Clifford, who help the homeless in Cardiff. Students and staff also filled over 150 shoeboxes for From dressing up as pink pigs to “showing our spots to raise Operation Christmas Child which was another fantastic effort lots”, the Charity Committee has done it all this year! from the whole MCS community! Children In Need and Sport Relief were huge events in school. Our ‘spot’ themed day saw students exercising their On behalf of the Charity Committee, I would like to sincerely vocal chords on stage doing karaoke to a fantastic supportive thank all staff, students and parents for their help and all audience, whilst a mammoth cake sale took place in the contributions they have made to our fundraising events this school hall! Sport Relief was extremely successful and year. Without your help our events wouldn’t work and we probably my favourite event – our busy sport themed day wouldn’t be able to help so many lives. Looking back, included a surprise ‘Flash Mob’ at break time which saw staff although this role has been hectic, I’ve enjoyed every minute and students break into their best dance moves in the school of it. Knowing that the Charity Committee has helped so yard. Students also entertained the school hall with ‘Just many people, as well as providing the opportunity to make Dance’ on the wii at lunch times. A coin collection new friendships, whilst having so much fun, has made my competition for Key Stage 3 added a creative theme to the last year in Monmouth Comprehensive that much more day (£100 was raised in one and two pence coins!) and a enjoyable and fulfilling – thank you. Zumbathon was not only fun for everyone but also helped to Jenny Fowler raise a total of just over £1150. Y13 Head of Charity Committee

17 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

worked with Israel’s local Jazz/world luminaries such as Harold Rubin, Albert Beger, Yair Dlal and Eyal Sela. Music Many of these early projects were recorded and released by a pioneer Jazz record label called Jazzis. He later formed his own Trio and recorded his first album ‘One Step Close’. Since then, Comprehensive School Asaf has formed other Trio’s such as Student plays for the Queen ‘The Orient House Ensemble’ which went on to record seven albums. He is Matt Brown, a Y12 student at currently working with his Trio ‘The Gwent Musical Success Monmouth Comprehensive School, was Asaf Sirkis Trio’ as well as his ‘Inner part of a small group selected from the Noise’ band and is gaining in reputation We currently have over 70 students from Gwent County Youth Orchestra to play as a composer and band leader. Monmouth Comprehensive involved in for the Queen in Christchurch, Ebbw The workshop involved Asaf teaching a wide range of Gwent Ensembles. Vale, on her Jubilee Tour. They played the students about rhythm through Some of the recent successes include the music by Britten, Holst and Vaughan- Konnakol which is based upon the art of performance at the Royal Albert Hall by Williams as the Queen and the Duke of performing percussion syllables vocally the Greater Gwent Youth Band and the Edinburgh entered the Church, and in South Indian Music. The students Greater Gwent Youth Senior Strings. again at the end of the service. Matt was very much enjoyed the workshop and it interviewed by the BBC. allowed them to approach rhythm in a Matt leads the new and exciting way. Matt Brown and cello section in Merlin Gable, who are currently the Orchestra studying music at A Level, described the and, through the workshop as ‘stimulating - it gave us a Gwent Music whole new approach to the concept of Support Service, rhythm. We have gained a better has performed understanding of polyrhythm’s and several times in about music from other cultures.’ the past in the We were very lucky to have such a Royal Albert superb professional musician visit the Other more recent successes include the Hall, St. David’s school and inspire the students. A big annual Gwent Music for Youth Regional Hall, and Birmingham Symphony Hall, thank you to Gwent Music Service Festival which was held on 9th and 10th and toured to Leipzig, along with several Friends Association who supported the March. other young musicians from the workshop. Over 96 ensembles and 3,000 pupils and Comprehensive. With the Welsh students from schools in Gwent National Youth Orchestra he has toured Greater Gwent Youth performed in front of good audiences at throughout Wales and to the Sage in the Newport Centre Main Hall and Gateshead. He gained his cello Orchestra Performance Riverside Suite. Over 40 students from performance diploma last year and is at the Newport Centre Monmouth Comprehensive School were also an accomplished jazz and rock on the 22nd April involved. drummer. As well as studying Music A Level at school, he is taking Music Many congratulations to Bronwyn The event was held over two full days Technology, Maths and Physics, and has Russell, Nerys Russell, Matt Brown, and all performances were listened to by an interest in sound engineering, Mary Hamilton, Rachel Tucker, Corin the music mentors provided by Music making good use of the school studio Dennehey and Louisa Hasler. Following for Youth and feedback on all equipment. He plans a career in music. a residential six day course at the Urdd performances was given on the day. Residential Centre in Llangrannog in This event was one of 76 Regional Visit from Easter, the above students performed in Festivals held over the UK and is one of world famous the annual concert of the Greater Gwent the largest.This was the first time for the jazz drummer Youth Orchestra which took place with event to take place at the Newport Centre and it proved to be a very Asaf Sirkis great success on Sunday 22nd April in the Newport Centre. popular and successful venue. Wednesday The programme included the Romeo Of the 96 ensembles, 21 made it through 28th March and Juliet Overture by Tchaikovsky and to the next round and these will now be invited to the National Festival of Music During March, world famous jazz the very descriptive 'Scheherazade' by for Youth in July 2012 and 30 ensembles drummer Asaf Sirkis visited MCS to Rimsky Korsakov. Both works were from the National Festival will then be lead a rhythm workshop with 20 rehearsed on the annual residential invited to perform at the Schools Proms students. Asaf is a professional drummer course at the Urdd Residential Centre in at the Royal Albert Hall in November. and composer who started his Llangrannog and both were performed professional career as a musician playing with maturity and with style. A big congratulations to all of with manyyoung Jazz-Rock, Kleizmer, those involved from Monmouth world music and Free Jazz bands. He has Alun F.Williams Comprehensive School!

18 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Student Design & Technology Work

Emily Kedward Rhianna Lewis Fenella Bauert

Hollie Smith

Emily Ward Suzanne Atkins

Elissia Evans Saffron Phipps Bethan Lydford

19 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Rowing - Why Row?

My First Regatta won both of our races we had made it checked everything, trying to remove the through to the final to compete against possibility of anything going wrong. Jess Williams,Year 9 St Edwards’s School, Oxford. While When this was done we went for a short My first regatta was at Birmingham’s watching them on their warm up laps we warm up run along a path to kick the Edgbaston Reservoir. After an early start both began to get nervous as they looked brain into action. I enjoyed this as we got and a minibus journey, we had arrived. extremely good. Then we were lined up to see all of the other people busily to race and they said preparing for their own races. go! We had an We now went the short distance back to extremely good start our own, splendid looking, boat and which saw us gain a checked everything one final time. small lead. It was a Pleased with the results, we heaved the tough race but when boat onto our shoulders and headed we had crossed the along the muddy path to the launching finishing line, we area. The sides of the boat dug into my had beaten them by shoulders making the journey long. over two lengths. Along the way an official checked over We were both happy our boat, giving everything a good shake as all our hard and making sure things wouldn't fall off training over the in the water. With this done we started winter months had off towards the landing stage which, to A total of 16 athletes from the school’s paid off. We won a gold medal and I was our dismay, was under ten centimetres of rowing squad took part in the event, so happy and felt very proud as this was water. We struggled quickly to flick our forming seven crews, and entering six the first Summer Regatta that I had shoes off before we had to step into the different events. As the conditions were competed in. I will be training as hard as water, soaking my socks and my trousers initially poor due to the wind and rain, I can and trying my best so that I have a up to my ankles in cold water.We quickly the organisers were contemplating better chance of winning. Overall a very attached our oars and pushed off out calling the event off but, after discussion successful day for all of the crews! into the huge expanse of water. with squad coaches and subsequent My First Regatta We did the usual warm up from our changes to the organisation of the event, Oliver Hedges,Year 9 training sessions, bringing in the rowing racing got underway. One change was sequence starting with just arms, then that the course was to be shortened to As we got closer my nerves began to bringing in the body and then bringing 450 metres from 750 metres, a change build. I started looking out of the in the slide, quarter, half and then full. welcomed by the athletes! window for signs that we were near our We were doing well and I felt confident, After rigging the boats, and setting up, it destination. I was very relieved to arrive. although this didn't stop me from feeling was my turn to get on the water, I was to Leaving our bags, we left the coach and nervous. We went around the warm up race a double, with Megan Jephcote. looked out over the reservoir that we circuit twice with our friends on the side Each crew was to race at least two races. cheering us as we passed each time. Our first was against Royal Grammar When we finished we headed towards a School, Worcester. When doing a few towering wall that protected us from the warm up laps, nerves were beginning to wind whilst we were queuing. Now that set in for the both of us, the conditions we had stopped I began to cool down, were not easy as the water was choppy, the heat escaping from the thin clothes and it was windy so we could easily be that I was wearing. I hoped that the races thrown off course during our race. would start quickly so that we could get Nevertheless, after a hard push at the moving again. We began to look around end of our race we had won! us, sizing up the people in the other We were both extremely happy, but boats huddled against the wall for knew that we had to focus. Our next race protection in the windbreak. was to be against fellow athletes from the Then, finally, we were called up to the club, Georgia Howe and Meg Butler. would soon be rowing on.The water was start. I felt so many eyes on me as we After training with them, we knew they so high that it lapped at the edges. The rowed up to the start. Our opponents, would be a strong competition.The race wind had whipped the surface of the Royal Shrewsbury School, must have was extremely close, but in the last 20 deep black water into a mess of waves been sizing us up, looking for our meters or so, Meg and I were beginning making it look forbidding. weakness. When we got to the start we to take the lead, only to win by half a got a look at them. They were massive; We quickly took the boats off the trailer length. A close race, but also another four big and strong looking boys, looking before attaching the riggers. Everybody win for us. Once off the water, our main confidently at us.When we got level with checked, double checked and triple priority was to get warm and dry. As we the other boat an official shouted,

20 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

“Ready” My body was now shaking from the only the best crews from each region We went forwards on our slides, just as cold.We landed and removed the blades. would be there. Our whole crew we had done in training. I was extremely We heaved our boat onto tired shoulders attended our annual training camp at nervous. My heart was pounding. and took it back to the trailer.We had no Wycliffe Sculling Centre for more time to put shoes on and made the technical training such as backing onto “Attention” journey in bare feet. Mine were now so the starts properly before the race began, We turned our blades and placed them numb the hard ground felt like a as well as the hard 12 minute, 10 minute in the water. I stared at the back of cushion. We loaded the boat back onto and eight minute pieces that were to be George's neck, waiting for the final the trailer and flopped on the coach, completed back to back, and at full command. The butterflies in my tired but exhilarated. Once warmed power. After a full three days of this you stomach got worse. back up, our coach came to confirm that may be wondering, was it hard work? “Go” we had won our whole event! Answer: Yes. Was it painful? Yes. Was it I pushed down on my legs, powering JIRR worth it? Yes. We all came out the other through the water. I tried to remember side feeling like we were finally ready to Ben Metcalfe,Year 11 everything from training. I built up the take on the best crews in sequence, taking short strokes at first, We have done it! We have actually done the country and show them just how building up into more powerful ones. it! I can’t believe it, we‘re in! These were fast four boys from Monmouth My legs began to tire. My muscles just some of the many thoughts blasting Comprehensive could move a boat. ached. I had a huge urge to look over, see through our heads as our results were When the day arrived, the four of us where the other crew was.The water was read out at the National Junior Sculling were in the school bus bay at 5.45am rough, making it harder to concentrate Head after our 5,400 meter race at before the sun was up, getting on the bus and it threw out our timing.We fixed this Dorney Lake, near Eton. for the three hour journey that would easily though, getting back into our take us to the National Watersports We were told at the beginning of this Centre. stride and powering on. Suddenly I race about the possibility of our crew heard a bell coming from land, this time racing for Wales & West of England at The atmosphere on the bus was tense, I had to look but before I did our cox especially as we neared our told us to wind down and I knew it was destination. When we finally the end. But who had won? Our cox told arrived at nine o’clock the us, but only after much confusion. We weather was far less had won. We had beaten them. We had favourable than was hoped won our first race! for. There was a strong wind and intermittent rain. As we stopped, at the back of the queue Although the wind was in our I noticed I was soaked. The splashes favour, as far as the race was from the blades had drenched me. The concerned it still provided wind cut through my clothes chilling me problems when rowing up to instantly.To my dismay the crew that we the start with all the other were racing second had only just started crews that were due to race. As we got their first. We saw them racing off. the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta at the onto the start for the first Suddenly the minutes passing felt like end of April, but that it would only of our 1,500 metre sprints down the six hours. My hands started to shake with happen if the four of us as a crew could lane course, the four of us realised the the cold. It felt like ages until the other beat every other quad in our age group reality of the situation and what we were crew came. in our region. We lined up again. This time the This meant opposing crew looked smaller but I putting down a wasn't going to get over confident. faster time than those crews. “Ready” What followed I did feel ready this time. this result was a “Attention” programme of My nerves had gone. I knew what I had hard and to do. vigorous training in preparation “Go” for the event. We We pushed off for the second time that knew it was not day, powering through the water. I felt going to be easy, like I knew the conditions better this each one of the time. I lifted my blades higher off the crew that were to water, clearing the waves. I could see us race there had pulling away from their boat. Then had to compete suddenly they stopped.Their timing had against all the become so bad that they had to stop and other crews in sort it out. I could almost laugh but we their region the didn't stop. We kept going and finished same as us, so the race. Another win!

21 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 really about to do. It hit home to us in the Rowing Club, a last few minutes before the starting position I was shout that we were out there incredibly proud of. representing not just Wales & West of That day really England, but that we were representing showed me how far our school in front of the hundreds of hard work can get crews of all age groups and their coaches you in all walks of and supporters. Unfortunately as we life, and how joined onto the pontoon that we were to bountiful the begin our race from, the weather rewards are. (Oh worsened and the rain and wind began yes, and it was my to get stronger, picking up white crested mum’s birthday!). waves for us to have to row through. As The role as Captain we psyched ourselves up for the race to was one that I begin, all four of us realised that we were relished. I knew it going to have to go completely, 100% flat would be very out to finish the course really strongly. challenging, but delightfully warm shower to help get it off. The shout went and the race began. every minute has been enjoyable and Immediately all six crews fired off the worthwhile. However, my visions of This winter also brought with it another start into the swirling wind and waves - leading the Club into a golden age of challenge for me and five other seniors these waves would be the main glory, and being worshipped by my as we started our rowing coaching opposition in this race. As the 200 metre squad members as a deity, were short course. This has been a fascinating and marker went by the waves got higher and lived as my first job was to help collate very useful new aspect of rowing. As I higher until they were coming over the the paperwork for the start of the write this I am in the process of coaching side of the boat, soaking all of us. coming season, accompanied by my our junior club, and I can confidently say This continued for the whole race until ‘helpful’ friends, supplying me, of that the future of MCSBC is bright! the end where we climbed out of the course, with suitable abuse throughout The New Year began with continued boat and realised exactly how much the day. success, notably by the younger athletes water we had taken on board in the I first realised what a prestigious and participating and winning in their first rough conditions. Due to the waves, our important role I had been awarded at the ever events. By the end of March we boat had filled up with water, although start of term meeting, as 50 rowers from were already closing in on the club our boat has sealed air tanks to ensure 14-18, each as keen as the next, stood record of wins (clearly down to the we couldn’t sink. As we lifted the boat before me expecting me to know what I Captain’s great leadership!) and many out of the lake we realised how much was talking about. It was daunting but also got a chance to row on the 2012 heavier it had become due to the water, also a great reminder of the ‘power’ now Olympic course in Eton, paving the way instead of lifting it straight above our at my fingertips, but of course with great for our Olympic heroes at the ‘National heads as we would normally, we power comes great responsibility so Sculling Head’ against the best in the struggled to lift it to our waist to tip out sending them all on a five mile run country. the water that had collected. As it seemed a bit unfair. In amongst this great racing we had our happened, ours was the last race to go The following morning was my birthday annual fundraising event, essential for down the course as the rest were called and also the first morning session of the keeping the club going. This involved a off due to the terrible weather conditions year (rowers pride themselves on being far from leisurely bike ride to Symonds that the course was suffering from. useless at getting up early, yet doing so Yat, followed by a gruelling run up the Nonetheless, this was our experience of all too regularly at some ungodly hour!). Kymin. A week afterwards, we then all the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, where However greeting me at training was not set off for Wycliffe (in Gloucester) for a we were proud to represent our school in a giant cake, but a delightful 5km piece training camp to put ourselves through the colours of the Wales & West of on the rowing machine as we began some more mindless pain! England team. preparation for the season ahead. The regatta season kicked off with a trip My Year as Captain Our season started brightly with six wins to Birmingham, where we had a fantastic and good performances all round on day adding more wins to the total, of MCSBC home soil in ‘Monmouth Autumn despite some having a few steering Harry King,Y12 Head’. We went from strength to difficulties (you know who you are), strength showing numerous strong clearly following my example having lost July 15th 2011 was one of the proudest displays throughout the winter in testing days of my rowing career and, possibly, a race there last year due to an encounter conditions. Traditionally the winter is a with a tree that jumped into the lake! All my life. In the morning myself and my time of preparation for a rower (not three crewmates (Josh Kings, Alex seems to be shaping up for a fantastic always a fun time!) putting in the hard summer of racing which will climax at Thomas and Cole Telford) had the race work to set up the summer racing, of our lives resulting in us winning a National Championships in July up in usually in horribly cold weather. I Nottingham. bronze medal at the British National remember one particularly cold morning Championships, and then in the run when I stepped in a puddle at the As an experience, being a part of such a evening, after attempting to finish off a start. By the time we got back to the boat successful vibrant Club for the last five Harvester’s cheesecake (they’re huge!), I house my shoe had frozen, and it took a years has been overwhelming, and is was named the new Captain of the something I cannot speak highly enough

22 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

GB boat, a harsh reality for athletes who have typically been in full time training since the last Olympics in 2008. It’s not only the races where their efforts count, at every training session every athlete has to perform at their best to show the coaches they really do deserve a spot on the team and challenge to get into not only the team but then into one of the fastest boats with the best chances of gold medals. The athletes racing in this year’s heavyweight men’s squad have been coached by a full team of coaches, led once again by Jürgen Gröbler. He is renowned for his ruthless motivation to win. He is a tough coach and his crews about. It has taught me a great deal and last outing of the camp we did a timed have won medals at every Olympic given me so many great memories, and 1500m race to see how we had improved Games since 1972, firstly in East this year has been even more so.Whether during the training camp. Germany then moving to Great Britain organising an event, racing, enjoying our The point of the training camp was to to coach Steven Redgrave for three of infamous singing sessions or driving improve our ability and confidence for his stunning five gold medals won in five Mr Cowton crazy with my lack of the upcoming season. However, consecutive games! He has gone on to organisation, it has been a truly fantastic everyone also had specific races in mind coach his lead crews to gold medals in year. I hope to have an even better one while training that made them train as 2004 and 2008. With a very strong next year as I try to balance rowing with hard as they could, to ensure they would women’s squad, including the lead boat the increasingly stressful areas of have the best race possible. For me and with Katherine Grainger, three times schoolwork and University worries! my crew it was the Inter-Regional Olympic silver medallist, there is a lot of Anyway I have blabbered on enough Regatta that inspired us to work to our expectation for the GB Rowing squad to already, all that’s left to say is thank you full potential throughout this training succeed. In a final twist, Greg Searle, to all the members of the Rowing Club camp. who won a dramatic gold medal at the for such a great year, I look forward to Training camp was a very hard and 1992 Barcelona games with his elder seeing you all next year, and thank you to tiring three days and by the end I was brother, is now aged 40 and looks certain Mr and Mrs Cowton, without whose completely exhausted, but I had a great to row in the eight some 20 years later. tireless work the Rowing Club could not time there as well as we have a very The GB rowers are certainly highly continue. friendly club atmosphere, where motivated to ensure rowing could be one everyone feels involved and you can have of our most successful sports at London Training Camp a good time, whilst improving our rowing. 2012. Sam Rugg and Matt McGrath, Year11 London 2012 & National Sculling Head During the Easter holidays of 2012, we GB Rowing at the London 2012 Venue were given the opportunity to spend half Alex Thomas,Y12 Molly James,Y10 a week of rowing to help improve our It is no secret that this year’s Olympics is On the 19th March, my crew of ability for the upcoming summer season. happening on our very own doorstep, Zoe McCarroll, Emily Richards, We went to Wycliffe Sculling Centre, and it’s also no secret that rowing is where they row on a canal (instead of Briony Waycott and Abi Sturgess (cox) going to be one of our country’s top our flowing river) as this would prepare were on our way to race at the National sports, with expectations to haul in the us for many of the upcoming races on Junior Sculling Head at Dorney Lake, medals during the Finals as they had lakes, as well as making it easier to where the Olympic rowing is going to be done in Beijing. What is less well practise regatta starts and turning on the held this year, 2012. We were nervous known though, is the journey of each spot to get onto the start, which are both but excited at the same time and we had athlete racing at important aspects of the summer rowing this year’s Olympic season. rowing squad. While we were there, we practised these Every athlete has skills and many others, moving from already had to prove skills at the start of the week, then onto themselves worthy pieces that would improve our ability to of a seat in a boat at sprint in the shorter, faster, races of the time trials and many regatta season, such as 500m pieces and international races, one minute pieces. We also did a lot of where anything but side by side work which we did to help the best is likely to prepare us for the side by side racing lose you a spot in a intensity of the summer season. In our

23 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 to beat many crews from our region to A record day for MCS Both on the day and across the season, get into Inter-regionals. events have been won by almost every The school Boat Club was founded member of the Club. It was fairly windy and we needed a fast 20 years ago in 1992, with strong enough time to get in. We had a rolling support from the then Headteacher, Last year’s total number of wins brought start then once they said go we had to David Every. Many years later, and an unexpected bonus. When records for race 1000m up then we turned and after a poor month of weather, the the season were published, MCS raced back down 1000m, so we were annual Monmouth Regatta saw superb finished in 15th place of all rowing racing against time. We had a fast time weather with sweltering temperatures schools across England and Wales. This and we overtook several crews on the on the Welsh Borders. The Club had ranked Monmouth Comprehensive way up. We were really happy with our one of their largest ever entries at this strongly up amongst some of the most performance but also tired as we had home event, with 20 crews entered well-known schools in this very worked really hard. We were proud to for the day of racing, from first year traditional of sports. have represented our school and very rowers to Sixth Form high performers, The Club tries hard to include everyone pleased with our performance. and even one crew of past students. The with its limited resources and the need entries were enthusiastically supported for high standards of safety; this can throughout the day by parents, make it difficult to give everyone the grandparents and siblings, with all crews chance to take up rowing, but we do our being cheered across the finish line. best. The goal is to provide enjoyment It was a wonderful day of racing, with for the rowers and challenge them to “be a record 13 wins for the school. the best you can be“, whatever that may This beat the previous record of 11 wins be. When this came together with great for the same day last year. Despite event success in front of our home support, it cancellations due to the weather made for a very special day. this season, the Club has already beaten DC Later on we found out that we had their season’s qualified to race for Wales & West of record of 33 England so we were really happy and wins, with 38 excited! Racing at Dorney Lake has been wins recorded a great experience and we are really already. pleased that we had the opportunity to STOP PRESS go and represent our school! Henley Royal Regatta is the most prestigious regatta in the world, attracting over 500 entries a year from around the world. As the numbers of students rowing at MCS has increased and the quality improved, we have targeted qualifying for this event in recent years. We failed in 2010 and 2011, but in 2012 we were even better prepared. The school’s top crew of Josh Kings, Jed Tattersdill, Richard Russell-Broome and Harry King came through a tough selection process at the school, going on to prepare with vigour in the maelstrom of summer (!) weather, with heavy rain and high winds being the norm. The day of qualifiers was no exception with a 20 mph headwind, gusting to 35mph and a strong stream for 2.1km upstream course. The lads stayed focused and determined to produce a special performance. The start was awesome, immediately making ground on the crews around them. As the wind took its toll, the crew relied heavily on each other to put together a true team performance in the most difficult of conditions. Exhausted at the end, the crew had to wait half an hour for the results to be announced. The crew had their heads down, knowing they had done something special but not knowing if it would be enough and whether it had been worth their exceptional effort. Other coaches and former rowing students were passing on their good wishes a little later, when I suddenly heard “Monmouth Comprehensive School” ring out on the loudspeakers across the regatta. Delight and a feeling of “are we sure?” flooded through me, but I knew you only get announced if you succeed. Losers are expected to accept their fate gracefully and remove their boats from the Regatta by the end of the day. I ran to the guys who were still flat out with exhaustion - Did you hear? I was going to say, but there was no need, the smiles on their faces and mutual hugs of congratulation said it all. The tiredness had fallen away and MCS had qualified for Henley Royal Regatta. Two days later we were drawn to race Prince Alfred College, Australia in the first round and as the magazine goes to press, we are embarking on our final practise outing in Monmouth looking to perfect our strategy to beat a crew that has travelled across the world to race us! DC

24 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Annual Restorative Justice Conference This year the school is incredibly proud to have been represented at the annual conference in Cardiff, which was hosted by Dr Belinda Hopkins and opened by HRH Princess Anne. Before the start of the conference, Josh The conference was so impressed that they As a school, we seek to build the skills of Rogers, Josh Haile, Natalie Hutchinson, Dan have written to the school to request that making, maintaining and repairing Morgan, Ellie Ashton, Ed Fear, Ryan James the students have their own item on the relationships. We aim to learn alongside and Ms Drake all had the opportunity of agenda for next year. each other through shared values and talking with Her Royal Highness about our The day got even better when HRH made looking out for one another. The Restorative learning approaches at Monmouth reference to our school in her opening Justice Council recognises the work we do Comprehensive School. The students address to the conference, highlighting the and is very supportive of Monmouth commented that they thought the day was work of the staff and the students in Comprehensive and all it has achieved. “a fabulous treat to be able to meet such building relationships and supporting one For more information on our approach please famous people” and that “Princess Anne another as a community. contact Mr Andy Williams at the school. was really interested in us and our school”. Monmouth Comprehensive is proud to be at All the students gave a very good account of the forefront of building both relational and themselves and were a credit to our school. restorative practices and has received accolades from both national and international organisations for the work we have done in this field. We continue to build skills of empathy and understanding across our school community, not by seeking out blame and punishment but by listening and supporting one another. We have moved away from a punitive mindset to one aimed at identifying thoughts and feelings behind actions and supporting the development of pro-social skills.

25 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Eco Council The Eco Council this year has made great strides and is about to apply for their second green flag. It has been led by Binah Cooper and Annabelle Clarke. The main focus this year has been designing a new logo and writing a new eco code.

Monmouth Comprehensive School had a School Hall – each box represented students played against ten staff to show very successful Green Week and has 2,500 sheets of paper and shows how how unfair it is for workers without gone a long way to raise awareness of much paper is used in school. Fairtrade (even with fewer players, the Fairtrade and recycling. On Wednesday we held a Fairtrade Café, staff team won!). The Eco Council has During Green Week, The Eco Council where we sold cakes made by staff and also sold Jute bags in aid of the World took part in Assemblies, informing students and gave students free samples Challenge group. students about the events taking place of Fairtrade chocolate, tea and coffee. There are also plans to fill a time capsule and what they represented. We also told The proceeds went to help the Charity which will be buried under the Jubilee the Year Groups what we have achieved Committee raise money for The Attik, a Oak tree the school will be planting so far and that we are the first local youth centre. Leaflets were also on soon. In years to come, future Comprehensive school in Monmouthshire show to give students some ideas of students can see photographs and items to achieve the Green Flag Award, which what they can do to help the that represent students of 2012. The we are hoping to keep this year. environment and raise awareness group is now moving forward with We started Green Week building a themselves. On Friday we also held a Eloise Oubridge Brock, Sophie Dowle ‘paper mountain’ on the stage in the Staff v Student football match. Fifteen and Harry King at the helm.

Recycled Fashion On the 17th of March I took part in The Royal from the other crisp packet dresses that have Forest of Dean’s version of London Fashion been created. Using the dress I designed and Week. The theme for the catwalk was ‘Eco- made for my GCSE Textiles portfolio as Warrior’ and I wanted to walk out in inspiration, I created the overskirt which was something that no one else would have made of 150 crisp packets and 10 tobacco contemplated. Although you may not find this packets to make the waistband. Finally I dress walking down alongside Chanel and attached straps made of multipacks. My hair Vivienne Westwood it certainly turned a few was developed around the design of the dress heads! and certainly looked the part, using three coke I made this dress out of over 300 crisp packets cans as rollers, my hair was twisted tightly to for a student at the college who’s currently my head and the rest crimped and studying for her NVQ Level 3 in hairdressing. backcombed. My makeup was applied by This awe striking gown couldn’t have been another student at the college, inspired by created without the help of my mum, my ‘80’s Punk Fashion’. Should you wish to see my friends and their families who helped me collect the crisp packets! dress it is held in the Textiles Department at MCS. Thanks to everyone for their support!!! The dress started as just a straight design but I then decided that I wanted it to be different Angharad Williams

26 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Sporting Round Up Football MCS End Football Season in Style So it was the turn of the U15s and they Luke Cleaves added a brace to cap a fine MCS ended the football season in style didn’t disappoint, dominating for 70 individual performance and MCS by winning no less than four Cup Finals minutes against Bassaleg. For all the looked to be cruising to victory until a in three days. On Monday 21st and domination and chances created, MCS late Newport High School surge took the Tuesday 22nd May, the Newport and only had one goal to show for their game to penalties. Harry Wilkes and District Schools Cup Finals were held at efforts, a spectacular effort direct from a George Ryley had worked tirelessly in Ty-Isaf Park, Risca. Monday saw free kick by Captain Mitchel Palmer. midfield with Dan Barnard abley Monmouth U13s take on St. Josephs Palmer, together with Perys Pullen and supporting Luke Cleaves at the back. So High School followed by Monmouth Callum Wheatley, formed a formidable to penalties and Jordan Boxhall-James U15s against Bassaleg Comprehensive. midfield, while stepping in as goalkeeper made a Max Goodridge led crucial save that eventually allowed the team from the Mitch Hunt to score the winning back. Zak Williams penalty, allowing Jimmy Lee to raise the was a constant trophy and make it three consecutive threat to Bassaleg successes for MCS.That means that out with his skill and of six competitions in the Newport & physicality.The final District Schools Cup, MCS picked up whistle meant that three of the trophies. MCS picked up U18s Squad: G. Clarke-Williams, their second trophy M. Hunt, L. Cleaves, D. Barnard, of the day, making it M. Goodridge, M. Palmer, H. Wilkes, two from two and a G. Ryley, J. Lee, J. Jones, C. Wheatley, great day out for all J.Wilkinson, A. Bradley, J. Haney. involved. Wednesday 23rd May and the Y8s U15s Squad: C. Greenstreet, It was a great day out for MCS as the turned their attention to the Gwent Cup M. Merola-Scott, H. Edwards, M. Goodridge, U13s led the way with a second half which involves a huge number of schools J. Butler, M. Palmer, C.Wheatley, P.Pullen, comeback to win 3-1. Goals from the and covers all Monmouthshire, J. Slater, Z.Williams, M. Paul, J. Barrett, prolific marksmen Jack Mayo and Newport, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Blaenau B. Davis, B. Bradley, D.Antypas, J. Holder. Sam Oxley were added to late on by Gwent and Islwyn schools. Abertillery Henry Damon meaning that Captain Tuesday and it was the turn of the were the opponents and they went ahead Matthew Macdonald could lift the Seniors to make it a hat-trick for MCS. after 10 minutes through a long range trophy.The display was a fantastic effort Due to the timing of the final clashing effort. However, Monmouth responded in which Kieran Knight, Owen Walters with exams, MCS were missing a well, keeping possession and passing the and Goalkeeper Jordan Heales were number of regular players and younger ball around on a hot day. MCS created a commended for skill and determination, players stepped in. This in addition to those mentioned above. In resulted in an entertaining fact, a number of players were identified 3-3 draw with Newport by regional selectors for next season with High School and Jordan Heales even being invited to trial penalties ensued. After with Cardiff City Football Club Academy falling behind early in the on the back of the performance. match, Mitch Palmer U13s Squad: J. Heales, L. Mills, (stepping up from O. Walters, K. Knight, J. Slater, Y10!) shot direct from M. Macdonald, M. Macklin, J. Phillips, centre and immediately C.Williams, J. Mayo, S. Oxley, H. Damon, equalised, lobbing the J. Haile, H. Cooper, J. Bishop, R. Stalley, keeper from the half way J.Thomas. line!

27 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 number of chances and it was only a stood behind our blocks waiting for the matter of time before Jack Mayo again starter to give us the orders and then he netted as he has done so often this did. The last thing I saw before I went season. Early in the second half, the into my blocks was my name on the big industrious Liam Mills set up a deserved screen in the Olympic Stadium, for goal for Cameron Williams for MCS’ everyone to see. second and the lead. Monmouth, with The gun went off and so did we – Josh Phillips going about his business running around the bend I was in last quietly in midfield, dominated the final place so I kicked. Slowly catching the 20 minutes without adding to the metres in Newport, I now stand at other competitors, I grabbed three places scoreline. Matt Macdonald was able to Number One. to finish 5th with a massive new personal lift a trophy for a second time in three From there I had many Invitational best of 22.2 seconds. Fourth place days as Y8 were crowned Champions competitions in England, such as the finished with 22.18 and third with 22.15 and surely, undisputably, the best U13 English Championships in the NIA seconds. It was pretty much a blanket school team in South East Wales. Arena which was for the fastest sprinters finish for the three of us. The rest of the U13s Squad: J. Heales, L. Mills, in England. day was just an experience within itself, with people calling your name O. Walters, K. Knight, J. Slater, I ran in May in London on the Olympic everywhere we went, signing shirts and M. Macdonald, M. Macklin, J. Phillips, track to represent Wales in the UKSG magazines and famous people saying C.Williams, J. Mayo, S. Oxley, H. Damon, (UK School Games), without doubt the how well you had done – it was just J. Haile, H. Cooper, J. Bishop, R. Stalley, best experience of my life. A televised beyond my imagination. J.Thomas. competition from 6-9 May with over The Cup Final successes were a great 30,000 spectators, this was a totally way to finish the season where a number different experience. As part of the of MCS students have excelled this year. Wales squad, I competed in the 200m Y7 and Y9 had some excellent and ran the first leg of the 4x100m relay. performances this year, winning most of Starting with the batten was an anxious their matches. In Y7, Robbie Atkinson is moment for me as people, even seconds one to watch for the future with Lewis before ‘on your marks’ was called were Davies and Joe Pemberton also performing crowding near you and constantly taking exceptionally all year. In Y9 Henry photos. The gun went off and I ran to Edwards, Jacob Draper, Jack Collins and the second runner with a clean Brad Bradley have been the standout changeover. After the race, even though performers and, who knows, had George we finished fifth, people swarmed London, as a whole, has motivated me to Baynes not been injured most of the around, wanting autographs and photos keep going with athletics and I wouldn’t season, he may have helped contribute to of us with them. This lasted around have swapped the experience with more success for MCS football. three hours, all the way until my anyone in the world. I would like to Y11 made the semi-final of the Newport individual 200m race. At this point, all thank the PE staff at MCS for giving me & District Cup and their route to the the schools around London came to the the opportunity to take part in the sport semi was led by performances from Stadium to watch the final few races. in the first place. goalkeeper Coby Smith-Steen and centre As the 200m runners from around the I am now aiming to run in the 2016 back Dean Bufton with Matthew Jones Nation were escorted onto the track, the Olympics with a hard 4 years of training. exceptional in whatever position he played. reality of the atmosphere hit us all. This is a dream I am working towards A fantastic season with a great deal of About 30,000 spectators were now with 100% effort and determination. effort from many more boys and girls than watching eight people run. Predicted From my point of view, athletics has those mentioned here.Well done everyone. last, I knew I was going to be up against shaped my life, turned me away from it in this race and something special routes I wouldn’t want to go down, and Athletics needed to happen. I did not want to helped me to become an inspirational mess up, especially on this stage. We all person to young and upcoming talent. I Ryan’s Olympic Dream wouldn’t trade it for anything - it’s Following my introduction to the world become such a huge part of me now, and of sprinting last year, I have increased everything I do relates to it, trying to my experience with every race run. make me better, faster and stronger. For me, the turning point came in My advice to youngsters coming January 2011 when I won two gold through the age groups is to take a medals at UWIC in Cardiff, making me chance with this sport - you might not be the fastest 60m and 200m runner in the best there is, but you will always be Wales in my age group. This made me the best you can be. Work hard, stay look at Athletics in a new light, and from ready, and never give up on your dream. just wanting a day off school to run 100 Ryan Lee, 11AF

28 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Champion Schools British Cup and of the national cup and running the faced Tiffin School (London). The first 2011 champions very close. half was a close contest with MCS going MCS Under 16’s Rugby League into half time with a 6-4 lead. Try Squad: Dan Dunmore, Zak Williams, coming from scrum half Joe Light Chris Martin, Jake Williams, converted by Stand-off. Morgan Paley, Cai Jones, Max Senior, During the second half, MCS took full Joe Light, Tom Hawkins (Captain), control of the game with their Will Korb, Lewis Chapman, entertaining attacking play and Jamie Ridgeway, Dan Impey, aggressive defence. Two tries from full Dan Musselbrook, Jordan Holder, back Dan Dunmore and one from Luke Richards, Rhodri Griffiths, Rugby League stand-off Max Senior who also Ryan Lee,Will Watkins and Alex Grubb. MCS Crowned Wales converted two. Final Score: MCS 22 Tiffin 8. Rugby Union Schools Carnegie Carnegie Champion U16s Rugby League School Quarter Finals Monmouth Comprehensive’s U16s have Champions had an outstanding season. Our Next up was Yorkshire based successful rugby union squad got their Maesydderwen 12 Brooksbank School in the quarter finals Welsh Schools Cup campaign off to a of the Champions Schools. Brooksbank Monmouth 44 flying start, brushing away their have won the competition for the last Monmouth Comprehensive’s U16s have opponents in the group stages of the three years so MCS knew that they had continued their successful Rugby Cup, recording comprehensive wins to be at the top of their game. League campaign by reaching the Welsh against Croesyceiliog, Fairwater, Schools Final for the second year in a MCS were slow to start and soon found West Mon, Llantarnam, Abersychan, row. After losing in the dying moments themselves 12-nil down within the first 10 Gwynllyw, and St. Albans. of last year’s final, MCS made no minutes. MCS then started to raise their mistake this year with a clinical display game and scored tries of attacking Rugby League. through stand-off Max Senior and MCS, brilliantly led by captain captain Tom Hawkins Tom Hawkins, won convincingly with 44 with Senior converting points to 12 with tries coming from; to bring the scores Joe Light (two), Dan Musselbrook, level at half time Jamie Ridgway, Jake Williams (two), 12-12. Dan Dunmore, Max Senior, Zak Williams and four conversions coming from the The second half boot of Senior. Joe Light, after an was another high outstanding performance, was also intensity affair with crowned Man of the Match. Brooksbank first to strike with an Their efforts in the group stages were unconverted try wide out. MCS then In the lead up to the Final, MCS were rewarded with a tough last 16 trip to started to take control of the game with Greenhill School (Tenby). After a long unbeaten in the competition, being further tries coming from scrum half crowned East Wales Champions after bus journey to Tenby, MCS put in an Joe Light, centre Morgan Paley and outstanding performance to eventually picking up wins against St. Albans, second row Will Korb with Max Senior St. Josephs, Llantarnam and Brynmawr. come away with a close 15-12 win. MCS putting over a conversion and a drop were, once again, awesome in both attack The semi-final saw MCS facing Cwm goal. Scores were close going into the Rhymni where MCS were outstanding and defence and thoroughly deserved final minutes of the game with MCS the win with tries coming from Joe Light in both attack and defence and came leading 27-26. With a minute or two away with a comprehensive 40 points to and Jake Williams with Max Senior remaining MCS just had to play time out converting a conversion and a penalty. nil victory with Will Korb picking up a when Brooksbank managed to turn the Although the squad was outstanding as a well deserved Man of the Match ball over and pushed play deep inside the whole, there were some standout performance for outstanding defence MCS half. A quick play the ball saw performances on the day. These came and running in four tries. Brooksbank attack the blindside creating from Dan Musselbrook at hooker who a two on one which saw the Brooksbank Carnegie Champion took several against the head in the winger go over in the corner to break scrum at crucial points in the game.The Schools Rugby League MCS hearts. Final Score Brooksbank 30 back row of Tom Hawkins, Joe Light and MCS 27. British Cup Will Korb were a force to be reckoned The MCS squad can be very proud of with in both attack and defence. After qualifying for the Welsh Final, their performances within the Ashley Murphy, Jamie Marchant and MCS booked their place in the last Competition reaching the quarter finals Jordan Holder, all playing up an age sixteen of the prestigious Carnegie

29 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 group and all part of the front row Sam Rugg, Jamie Marchant,Ashley Murphy, Calderwood goal. Monmouth then union, stood up to the test. And finally Dan Sadler, Rhodri Griffiths, Luke Richards, starting playing like they had in the Zak Williams, another playing up at age Will Watkins, Chris Martin, Chris Powell, group stages and went close to taking the at full back, was safe under the high ball Jacob Picken, Liam Richards, Coby Smith- lead on numerous occasions, with a all day and also produced a try saving Steen, and Sam Foster. number of shots narrowly missing the tackle in the last play of the game which goal. After enjoying possession, saw MCS take their place in the quarter Boys Hockey Monmouth conceded another goal final draw. taking the score to 2-1. The Monmouth Boy’s hockey at Monmouth boys’ heads dropped and Ysgol Gwyr Comprehensive is going from strength Welsh School took full advantage by extending their to strength with a number of players lead to 3-1. After some well worked play Quarter Final being selected to represent their local by Monmouth a shot corner was MCS travelled to Maesteg to play in the county, Wales and even at International awarded and with the last stroke of the quarter finals of the Welsh Schools Cup. level. Jacob Draper-Stone has been game Edward Goldsmith scored a well- The game was a scrappy affair with selected to play for Great Britain U16 rehearsed short corner routine. As runners handling errors coming from both even though he is currently an U14. up in the tournament, the boys would be teams. MCS were in total control during Jacob has travelled to numerous heading to the Welsh Finals in Newtown. the first half but couldn’t turn pressure destinations around the world to into points. The MCS backs were represent both Wales and Great Britain. The U14 boys had an early morning causing problems for the Maesteg George Goldsmith is playing in goal start on 26th April, to travel to Newtown defence with strong runs coming from alongside Jacob in the U16 Welsh team. in Mid Wales to compete in the Welsh Dan Dunmore, Morgan Paley and Jake Edward Goldsmith, Matthew Goldsmith Finals. The boys got off to a flying start, Williams but the final pass never went to and Marcus Hutchinson have all received beating their first opponents, Eirias High, hand for MCS to capitalise. A cross-field county honours with Edward also 4-1, having played some fantastic hockey. kick by centre Morgan Paley put playing for South Wales alongside Jacob. They carried this momentum into their pressure on the Maesteg back three second game against Ysgol Gwyr, who which Full Back Dan Dunmore took full U14 Boys South Wales beat Monmouth in the final of the South advantage of to score the opening try Tournament Wales Tournament, securing victory with and the only points of the half. a 2-1 score line. Going into the final The second half was pretty much a On Friday 23rd March Monmouth game, Monmouth had to win or draw to carbon copy of the first with both teams Comprehensive School took a squad of secure the Welsh title. Unfortunately the making errors and MCS failing to 9 U14 boys to compete in the annual team from Ysgol Tywyn proved too capitalise on the amount of possession. South Wales Tournament in Swansea. strong for the Monmouth boys and ran Maesteg managed to score two scrappy Having never entered the tournament out 6-2 winners. This left Monmouth in tries which gave them a 12-5 lead. With before the level of competition was runners up position overall. This is a time running out, MCS threw unknown. Monmouth were in Pool A fantastic achievement for the boys and everything they had at the Maesteg along with six other schools.Throughout with this being the first year we have defence but couldn’t cross the try line. the Pool stages, Monmouth dominated entered the tournament, finishing as the Final Score: Maesteg 12 MCS 5. possession and looked confident in front number two team in Wales is something of goal converting a number of well to really be proud of. MCS have once again had an worked opportunities. Monmouth outstanding season only losing one game looked strong from defence all the way The squad for both tournaments were: all season and only losing two games of through to attack and started to play Alex Kennett-Davies, Jacob Draper-Stone, rugby union since they started school in more as a team throughout the group Matthew Goldsmith, Edward Goldsmith, Y7. Although they have been knocked stages. After some varied level of Marcus Hutchinson, Oscar Calderwood, out of the tournament, the squad have competition, Monmouth went on to win Elliott Williamson, Elliott Kramer and come a long way and have been the group without losing a game or Rhys Kedward. outstanding during their time at MCS. conceding a goal. The same record was Well done to all the boys! They know deep down that they let this to be true of the winning team one get away but they are an outstanding in Pool B,Ysgol Gwyr, leading squad of players who deserved to to an interesting Final. With progress. I’m sure the boys will learn both teams having not from this and progress on to bigger and dropped a point between better things in their rugby careers. them, the Final was set to be a Good luck boys! thriller! Monmouth started MCS Under 16’s Rugby Union Squad: slowly finding it difficult to Zak Willimas, Alex Grubb, Dan Dunmore, keep possession. They then Jake Williams, Cai Jones, Morgan Paley, went 1-0 down after five Max Senior, Tom Hawkins, Joe Light, minutes but responded Will Korb, Lewis Chapman, Dan Impey, confidently bringing the score Jordan Holder,Dan Musselbrook,Ryan Lee, back to 1-1 after an Oscar Jamie Ridgeway, Sean McMahon,

30 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

of the week. In the gymnastics, the girls Creative Days excelled on the floor scoring very high December 2011 marks with routines which demonstrated a range of moves, levels and pathways It was the first experience of Inter Form and which were performed with Sporting Competition for the Y7 Forms, confidence, control and precision. but with such high levels of participation, However, it was the boys who stole the performance and enjoyment it was a show in the vault competition with an great success. Every student took part in assortment of eye catching vaults, the the day, competing in gymnastics, dance or swimming, working hard to win points for their Form.

gymnastics saw a range of extravagant vaulting and controlled floor work with a high standard displayed by both boys and girls. The dance saw another range of high quality performances with creative choreography, performed with confidence and enthusiasm. The outstanding performance of the day was from the group representing 8JP (Rhian, Cara, Rachel, Charlie, Bronwen, Natasha and Madison). The swimming The gymnastics saw tremendous talent on show in both the floor and vault competitions, with the quartet of most memorable of which being Jessica Chance, Daisy Wilcocks, Charlie Rogers’ (9HF) half turn jump Laura MacDonald and Georgia Bevan onto the box top and a back somersault helping 7JD to top the table. In the off which he landed perfectly and for dance competition, groups which the judges awarded him full choreographed and performed a dance marks. 9HF, who won for the last two to their choice of music. The years, continued their domination by competition was extremely close with all winning the dance competition and groups working well together, topping the leaderboard in the performing with confidence and swimming as well with outstanding incorporating a range of choreographic swims from Lara Gordon and Mitchell devices.The swimming gala consisted of Savage. Other excellent performances in numerous events; from water polo to the saw a fabulous team performance by the pool came from Nick Watkins lifesaving tow race. The day saw superb 8MI, who won several competitions, (9MA), Megan Cameron (9PK) and levels of effort and enthusiasm from with everyone fully playing their part. Cerian Barrell (9DS). With 9HF members of all Forms with stand out One of the highlights in the pool was the running away with the competition, it performances from Nya Levey (7NC), racing rivalry between Rory Gordon was close race for second place overall, Lydia Smith (7LM) and Andrew Cole (8JP) and Matthew Peters (8MI) who and 9DS just managed to claim it, (7FI). The tremendous showing in the pushed each other all the way, and pushing 9PK into third, to end an swimming was enough for 7NC to win impressed not only their own Forms but incredible three days of participation, their first Inter Form Competition with everyone else with their high-quality enthusiasm and success. 7LM coming second and 7JD third. stroke technique For the Y8 Forms it was their second and determination. year of creative The top team days and it was performance in the equally successful pool was just with the dance, enough to see 8MI gymnastics and win the overall swimming all competition, with seeing fabulous 8JP close behind in performances and second place. excellent effort The Y9 competition from students of saw some of the very all Forms. The best performances

31 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Science The Big Bang Science Fair After arriving at school on the 16th of March 2012, young scientists from Years Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten gathered at the bus bay eagerly awaiting the coaches that would take us to The Big Bang Science Fair in the NEC Birmingham. The two buses headed off and with traffic in our favour we arrived at the NEC, just after 10:30am.With hundreds of schools all gathered to explore and investigate the scientific and technological careers available, the Exhibition Hall was full. “Thunderbolts and Lightning, very, very There were hundreds of stands and experts to talk to, including Eon frightening” - Freddie Mercury Electricity, BBC and Google.There were many interactive activities and work shops to take part in and loads of prizes and freebies to be won. On average, every year every single aircraft in the skies is hit by lightning. At the Trauma Science stand a few members of our school donned Amazingly, all passengers and crew remain safe. This is due to most surgical scrubs and experienced the life of a Trauma surgeon, using a aircraft being made from aluminium which, being a metal and, human model and porcine organs. therefore, a conductor of electricity, acts as a Faraday cage; allowing the electricity to ‘pass around’ the outside of the aircraft. Over the other side of the Exhibition Hall, many students took part in quizzes and games, set up by energy companies such as National Grid Modern aircraft are increasingly being made out of Carbon Fibre to and British Gas. save weight and increase strength, though this Carbon Fibre will not conduct electricity and will ‘burn’, certainly not a safe way to travel! Most of the students on the trip visited Miles Isted s’Jacob, a Year Ten student of Monmouth Comprehensive, to watch him exhibit and race On the afternoon of 23rd March an engineer visited the school from a his F1 miniature car in the national championships against many other company called EADS. He engineers solutions to carbon fibre aircraft teams.We felt we shared his success in achieving the Best Team Identity being hit by lightning. He spoke to Year Seven about his work and Award. showed us some demonstrations of the effects of the technology he has developed which proved very interesting as Year Seven are studying We broke briefly for lunch then headed to the super Theatre to view aircraft and flight as part of their ‘Stop Press’ unit of work which Brainiac Live. It was a really great show, where we saw many scientific investigates air pressure and the power of air. facts and theories proved. On the journey home all the students reviewed what a phenomenal day it had been and discussed possible Jonathan Cole from 7SG said he found it “very informative, especially futures in science, inspired by the day's events. with my interest in aeroplanes". Charlie Cooke from the same form described it as a “very interesting subject, which was demonstrated in a Amelia Ralph different and exciting way”.

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32 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Y13 Leavers

33 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Careers and Higher Education Fair Success Monmouth Comprehensive School’s annual Careers and Higher Education Fair was once again an unqualified success. The event featured over one hundred industry experts and Higher Education professionals, offering advice on careers, work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, subject choices and progression into Higher Education.

Despite being one surrounding schools on the night of the coldest nights who also found the evening very of the year, record beneficial. Mr David Egan and numbers of visitors attended the Fair, Mrs Kirsten Jones at which is now a firm school lead on fixture for both the learning Pathways school and the local and the evening is a community. One tribute to their delegate stated that ambition and ‘it was larger, better organised and better attended than any expectation for all regional fair they attend’. our students.” The event featured representatives from such high profile organisations such as GE, BBC, Oxford University, Forestry Commission and event sponsor General Dynamics, as well a large number of local professionals from the Monmouthshire area. Local radio station Sunshine Radio even provided the opportunity for visitors to record their own broadcast! Joint Headteachers, Mr Tim Bird and Mr Vaughan Davies said “Supporting students in making Advert the next steps in their learning and being able to work with students on the relevance of what and how they learn at school are essential elements of our practice and provision.The providers at the Careers and Higher Education Fair have supported all our students in understanding the choices and opportunities they have in their lives. We very much appreciate the time and effort that has gone into making this such a wonderful event. We were also pleased to see so many students from

34 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Community Participation at MCS

Tidy Wales Award activities led by coaches from our community. MCS were runners up in the Schools The squash club have played Monmouth category for School and won the majority of their their community matches. participation All our riders have reached Level 1, and work during the some Level 2, in Equitation and Stable Summer Learning Management. week at the Two Ten of our Tae Kwon Do students have River Meadow succeeded in their gradings - Kenzo Project at the Fagan (10NI) to Green 6th Kup, Community Fair confluence of the Wye and Monnow Sam Wagget (11DP) to Blue ends 5th Our annual Community Fair took place in rivers. Students, supported by members Kup and seven students gaining Yellow February this year. The Fair is a spring- of the project and Tidy Wales, removed end 9th Kup. large amounts of the invasive Himalayan board for students to volunteer for an Our London Academy of Music and Balsam, litter and debris to enhance the activity during our Summer Learning Dramatic Art (LAMDA) students have locality for the community. Week so the opportunity to meet with been successful in their examinations organisations that provide vital services with every student reaching Level 2 to our community is an essential part of Duke of Edinburgh Award (Grade 4) in Speaking Verse and Prose, the learning process as well as being a key Year 10 students are Acting Solo or Acting Duologue with a component of the Welsh Baccalaureate well into their Pass, Merit and (notably) Philippa Parry Intermediate Diploma. expedition training that (10SC) Pass with Distinction. Most includes basic first aid, students have continued with their tutor safety outdoors, to work towards Level 5 or 6 (Level 6 navigation and camp- attracts UCAS points). craft and they are looking forward to their Monmouthshire Children’s practice and assessed expeditions in May and June. One of the and Youth University largest groups for some time (98 The Children’s University awards credits students in total) are completing their to young people who attend activities Skills, Physical and Volunteering sections outside normal school hours. The of the Award, learning new skills, University aims to provide a broad increasing confidence and learning a framework within which each student Community Connections great deal about themselves. can reach their maximum potential in Befrienders Scheme Y11 students are completing the Award whatever areas of learning they desire. in increasing numbers - currently 25 Currently our academy students are Our Sixth Form Health & Social Care students have received their well- receiving credits for attending and students have undergone specialist deserved lapel badge and certificate completing modules after school. The training for working with vulnerable whilst 22 students have progressed to credits are banked and lead progressively members of our community in readiness the Silver Award run by Monmouthshire to Bronze (100), Silver (200) and Gold to participate in the recently launched Youth Service. (400) Children’s Awards for Y7 and Y8. Befrienders Scheme, centred at the Bridges Years 9-11 need to bank 150 credits for Community Centre. Volunteers, including the Certificate, 350 for Diploma and 600 our students, will be supporting members for the Advanced Diploma for the Youth of the community in and around Monmouth award. 10% of the credit value must be doing odd jobs, shopping or just visiting for community contribution. for a friendly and comforting chat. Youth Rangers Amelia Ralph, Gregor Belcher, Olivia Farrow and Ella Rook were successful in their bid to become Wye Valley Youth Rangers. They have embarked on a schedule that includes kayaking, Academies first aid, bushcraft, stone walling, hedge Squash, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Equine, laying, archaeology, ecology and conservation Street-dance, Fencing, Water Polo and - a fantastic learning experience! LAMDA remain very popular after school

35 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

IcelandIceland 20122012 Very early on a bitterly cold February morning, our group of 19 explorers left Monmouth Comprehensive School ready to begin our Icelandic sojourn.

Day 1 steamingsteaming sky-bluesky-blue waterswaters ofof thethe lagoonlagoon minutes in the freezing winds, we beat any hot tub and were the best way moved on to another site further along The journey we made would take us toto escapeescape thethe surroundingsurrounding chillchill fromfrom thethe coast.coast. The The skiesskies werewere nownow lessless northwards by plane from London thethe nightnight air.air. clouded,clouded, and and eventually,eventually, a a narrow,narrow, Heathrow almost to the Arctic Circle wispy malachite green beam began to at 66 degrees North , to Keflavik Later on in the evening we were told at 66 degrees North , to Keflavik stretchstretch acrossacross thethe sky.sky. Within Within aa fewfew airport, outside the Capital City of thatthat ourour bestbest chancechance toto seesee thethe airport, outside the Capital City of moments the Lights had faded away, Reykjavik. Northern Lights would be that night, Reykjavik. but we had witnessed their wonder and so,so, after after aa hastyhasty suppersupper (and(and aa chancechance magic. Whilst at the airport we met our guide, toto putput somesome warmerwarmer clothesclothes on)on) wewe Snorri Balsson, who would lead us ventured out of Reykjavik on to a Day 2 aroundaround hishis belovedbeloved IcelandIceland forfor thethe peninsula, where there would be Our first full day in Iceland saw us next three days, taking us down to the almostalmost nono lightlight pollution.pollution. With With spiritsspirits make another early start, this time to coast,coast, high high intointo thethe mountains,mountains, and and andand expectationsexpectations highhigh wewe filedfiled outout ofof embarkembark onon TheThe GoldenGolden CircleCircle Tour.Tour. providing a first class commentary on thethe coachcoach onon thethe sideside ofof aa road,road, Being so far north, the sun didn't rise various geological features, history, confrontedconfronted immediatelyimmediately withwith thethe bitterbitter until late in the morning, at which andand anan insightinsight intointo thethe wonderfulwonderful Atlantic winds, and stared into the point we were well onon ourour wayway toto beginbegin folklorefolklore ofof Iceland.Iceland. heavens. our tour, which included Volcanic After leaving the airport we were taken Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on craters,craters, tectonic tectonic plateplate boundaries,boundaries, straightstraight toto thethe famousfamous BlueBlue Lagoon,Lagoon, to to our side, and the stars were obscured getting up close to the beautiful go swimming. Heated by red hot by passing rainclouds. The Lights IcelandicIcelandic horse,horse, and and seeingseeing thethe famousfamous magma deep within the earth, the remainedremained elusive,elusive, and and afterafter 1010 fruitlessfruitless geysers.

36 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

We got the chance to see 'Strokkur', Next we stopped off at a restaurant in thethe sensessenses -- beingbeing ableable toto hearhear thethe one of the geysers, erupt, thrusting a Vik, where we had the chance to eat a melted glacier ice running beneath vast column of hot water and steam lunchlunch ofof puffinpuffin burgerburger andand chips,chips, and and you, see bubbles of air trapped in the somesome 50'50' intointo thethe air.air. As As withwith thethe BlueBlue anan IceIce lollylolly forfor dessert.dessert. I'd I'd nevernever eateneaten ice,ice, and and runrun youryour handshands alongalong itsits Lagoon, the pools of hot water around puffin before, but it really was very smoothsmooth edges.edges. thethe geysersgeysers werewere aa brilliantbrilliant azureazure blue,blue, good, and I would certainly Day 4 due to all of the minerals in the water, recommendrecommend it.it. Day 4 allall sendingsending upup vapourvapour columnscolumns intointo thethe On this final day we would visit After our excellent lunch, we set off sky.sky. Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city, and towards Eyjafjallajökull. The name towards Eyjafjallajökull. The name thenthen flyfly backback toto Britain.Britain. Travelling along the empty roads we may not mean much to you (even if were able to view the rugged terrain you can pronounce it!), but it's that Whilst in Reykjavik we got to do some thatthat IcelandIceland isis knownknown for,for, negotiating negotiating glacier with the volcano underneath it lastlast minuteminute shoppingshopping andand souvenirsouvenir snowysnowy mountainmountain passes,passes, driving driving overover thatthat stoppedstopped allall ofof thethe aeroplanesaeroplanes backback buying, and another chance to sample pristine white plateaus, and going inin 2010.2010. Remnants Remnants ofof thethe eruptioneruption somesome IcelandicIcelandic cuisine,cuisine, though though thethe throughthrough rockyrocky inhospitableinhospitable landscapeslandscapes were everywhere, with almost searedseared sheep'ssheep's headhead didn'tdidn't reallyreally appealappeal thatthat lookedlooked asas thoughthough theythey couldcould bebe everythingeverything beingbeing coveredcovered byby aa layerlayer ofof toto me...me... fromfrom anotheranother planet.planet. black ash.The locals, however, seemed Iceland,Iceland, as as II havehave seenseen it,it, is is anan Day 3 toto bebe makingmaking thethe bestbest ofof thethe situationsituation incredibleincredible countrycountry fullfull ofof untameduntamed andand Iceland'sIceland's recentrecent moneymoney problems,problems, beauty and showcases nature's infinite On our third day in Iceland we would sellingselling T-shirtsT-shirts bearingbearing slogansslogans suchsuch as;as; power and I would most definitely head south-east along the coast 'Iceland,'Iceland, we we maymay notnot havehave cash,cash, but but returnreturn inin thethe future.future. I I thoroughlythoroughly towardstowards thethe smallsmall towntown ofof Vik,Vik, and and onon we've got plenty of ash.' enjoyedenjoyed myselfmyself andand thethe companycompany ofof toto thethe glaciers.glaciers. Near Near VikVik wewe visitedvisited aa my companions. Thank you to pebble beach with two enormous sea At the end of an unbelievable bumpy Mrs Fry for organising the trip, and a stacks.stacks. Snorri, Snorri, our our guide,guide, explained explained tracktrack wewe arrivedarrived atat oneone ofof Iceland'sIceland's specialspecial thankthank youyou toto DrDr C.C. for for keepingkeeping thatthat accordingaccording toto legend,legend, two two trollstrolls hadhad many glaciers. From here we could us entertained with his own special been wading around the cliffs with walk right up to the wall of ice and brand of Irish humour. theirtheir boatsboats whenwhen thethe sunsun rose,rose, turning turning rockrock sprawlingsprawling upup intointo thethe mountains.mountains. themthem toto stone.stone. ItIt waswas anan experienceexperience thatthat appealedappealed toto Tom Edgeworth

37 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Eisteddfod Ysgol Gyfun Trefynwy Mawrth 4ydd March 4th Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Eisteddfod

The Eisteddfod is a celebration of Welsh literature, music and art which can be traced back to the 12th century. It's thought that the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan at the Court of Rhys ap Gruffyd in 1176 although for many hundreds of years the festival wasn't celebrated, perhaps as English rule took hold of the region and the Welsh identity was eroded.

However, in 1789 what is now recognised as the first perform music. Every Form in Y7, Y8, and Y9 also sing a song National Eisteddfod took place in Corwen and the in front of the Sixth Form with the best three from each Year celebration of Welsh arts began again. Today, with Wales getting the opportunity to sing in front of the whole school once again proud to celebrate our proud history the on Eisteddfod day. For me, that's one of the most enjoyable Eisteddfod is held at schools throughout the country. but nerve wracking parts of Eisteddfod! At Monmouth Comprehensive School we have an Eisteddfod As well as song and dance we also have individual and Form day when we celebrate our heritage with our own festival competitions. This year the competitions were really good. when people get the chance to sing, dance, compose and For the Form competition we had to design a rugby shirt - ours had a sheep on the front and a daffodil on the back. Our Form Tutor, Miss Thomas, bought us t-shirts so we were able to make and model our design which helped us secure second place in the competition. We also designed a costume made from recycled materials and used Caley as our model for our Welsh dragon suit made out of a cardboard box. We won third place, which is just as well because I don't think Caley would have been too pleased to go through that for nothing! The individual competitions were quite challenging and included making a Torah scroll for a Welsh synagogue in RE, creating a 21st century Welsh dragon in Art, composing a piece of past tense

38 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 writing in Welsh and for Maths we had to create a dragon made out of co-ordinates. Although the competitions are held on one single day, the entries are always of a really high standard so if you want to win you need to start work early! I was fortunate enough to win first place in the Welsh competition and third place in the Art competition. Although I had hoped to get, maybe, third place or at best second in the Welsh competition, I thought that my chance was gone when those places were announced and my name wasn't called out so I was proud and delighted when Miss Pearson called my name out! Although it was great to win, I really enjoyed taking part and learning a little more about the subjects along the way. The Eisteddfod obviously took a little longer to reach I really enjoy celebrating the Eisteddfod and learning more Monmouth Comprehensive School because it wasn't about Welsh arts and history in such an enjoyable and celebrated when my parents were at the school just twenty inspirational way. I'm glad that it got here at last! years ago. Louise Pardington, Year 8

A Welsh Evening On Thursday April 5th, students of MCS took part in a show to celebrate Welsh Culture. This was an ideal opportunity for students to share their many talents and to show the importance of Wales and its culture. Over 60 students from all age groups took part and a wide variety of performances were showcased.

be a fantastic opportunity and will again showcase the talents of our students. In total, we raised just over £550 through refreshments, tickets sales and programmes- a great amount to support the talent of the students in our school. It was a delight to see so many people supporting the evening. Many members of staff and senior leadership came to support, along with the Chair of Governors and the Mayor and his consort, which was a great honour. The Welsh Department are extremely grateful for all the support that they had from all students that performed and The show started with our Year 12 A Level Welsh students a large number of staff. It was such a great joy to see a and then a brilliant performance of a song by Marina and the School come together to enjoy the celebration of its culture. Diamonds from Ella Sutton and George Thomas, the winners of Monmouth’s Got Talent. There was a fantastic performance from Rory Gorden on the trumpet and an intense acting scene from ‘Under Milk Wood’. Even staff members embraced the culture by performing a Tom Jones medley with all cast members to end the show. The Charity Committee were also there to support and raise money for the World Challenge trip to Morocco in the Summer, which will be a great opportunity for the 6th Form. The money raised in the show will also be used to send students of our school to the National Eisteddfod. This will

39 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Serving the school....

On Thursday 2nd February 2012, a team of catering students gathered to supply exhibitors at the CHEF (Careers and Higher Education Fair) with a range of delicious food to take them through the busy evening ahead.

tirelessly to produce the food on time, all great experience for catering careers and functions in the future. On schedule, the food was delivered fresh to the exhibitors at 6:00pm, with a selection of sweet and savoury nibbles for each stand. After the kitchens were cleared away to the exacting standards of Miss Cook (Head of Food Technology) and Mrs Fuller, who had helped and supported the team all day, the team was excited to explore the Fair and hear all the positive feedback regarding the food. The Careers and Higher Education Fair had many exhibitors and experts to talk to as students and parents from all Years As the Fair began at 6:30pm, it was due to be a busy day for strolled through the Leisure Centre and School Hall, producing the young chefs from Food Technology. The team of a great buzz. The opportunity to investigate different options passionate cooks met at 8:30am to start preparation for the after leaving school, from universities and colleges such as Oxford exhibitors arriving later that day. and Hartbury, to careers such as engineering apprenticeships Working hard all day, the team managed to produce a large and medicine, was appreciated by all who attended. After a array of food for the exhibitors, including mini quiches, tiring day the catering students were proud of their choux pastry and a selection of cakes and brownies. outstanding efforts and look forward to CHEF events to come. Occupying both Food Tech kitchens, the group worked Amelia Ralph Y10

40 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 How do you keep the roadways clear in a massive shipping port?

This was the challenge set by General Dynamics UK in November 2011 to six budding engineers in Year 12 as part of the Engineering Education Scheme in Wales. (EESW)

not just a passing person or vehicle, and along and were with us on the December switches on its camera to give the workshop days. Perhaps you could have lots of people operator an image. It also switches out By February the device was working well patrolling, or a huge network of of autonomous mode to allow control by but there was a looming deadline for the cameras.... or, even better, cameras a handheld bluetooth device. The production of a 20 page report to mounted on mobile robotic platforms operator can tilt the professional standard. that can patrol autonomously, alerting camera and steer the Fran Davies had made their controller only when an obstruction platform to get the best an excellent start on is detected. view. A major problem this, but it needed was that the NXT Problem solved? Well, turning this idea several intense group block did not have into a working prototype took four sessions after school enough output ports to months of hard work by the group, and last minute phone perform all these assisted by helpful engineers from GD, calls to GD to knock it functions. After much with a three day intensive workshop in into final shape. Then head-scratching, we December. We succeeded, and, at the it was preparing for the decided to use the ceremony at Celtic Manor on 26th Celtic Manor where tilting of the camera to March, opened by the First Minister, we there would be 68 operate a switch and were nominated for national awards for schools and colleges, relay circuit that would ‘Best Application of Technology’, ‘Best from all over Wales, control the power to the Working Prototype’, and the one we competing. The group camera and also some won, ‘Best Use of IT.’ gave a draft indicator lights. The prototype circuit presentation to a room full of senior was a spaghetti of wires, so a neater engineers at GD who bombarded them printed circuit board was designed, with questions and comments. The final etched and wired up. Luke Bowley and version was then tried out on the entire Cole Telford had to persevere to make it MCS Science Department. With big work correctly. glossy posters produced by the GD Another problem was navigation. The Marketing Department, (to the students’ digital compass didn’t work until we design), and some big GD display realised it was too close to the magnets in screens, the performance at the Celtic the camera tilt motor. GPS was tried, Manor was polished and confident. but when it finally acquired a satellite The judges were impressed, as were the signal during a test in the school’s numerous visitors to the stand all day. It technology department, it indicated that has been an excellent project, giving a we were somewhere on Vauxhall Fields! We started with a wheeled buggy, but it real insight into the world of the was difficult to programme it to steer Alex Mason used a Computer Aided professional engineer, and we have been accurately. Also, we were reminded that Design package to draw accurately some invited to present at the ‘Big Bang’ dockyard cranes run on rails that could bodywork panels that were then cut out Science and Technology Fair in cause problems. So we switched to a on the school’s computer controlled laser Swansea. tracked vehicle – one of many decisions cutter by Aaron Mills. The design called we were to make after weighing up the for intricate holes that would precisely pros and cons of different options. match the lego components, and tiny custom made spacers. The control programme was written into a Lego NXT ‘Mindstorms’ block. We The programme started with a big had no knowledge of the programming introductory event at the University in language at first, but were forced to Caerleon in October. We then visited become experts (particularly General Dynamics for a briefing and Alex Thomas) to make it do what we were shown some impressive wanted. It follows a preset route, and James Bond type gadgets that were being when its ultrasonic sensors detect an developed. The GD engineers visited obstacle, it stops, waits to make sure it is school several times to help the project

41 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Italy Sports Tour

98 students, 11 staff, 2 buses, 6 drivers, 5 sports, 13 fixtures, 678 packed lunches, 1 double leg fracture, 1 concussion, 1 dislocated knee, 123 pizzas and 84 hours in hospital – this year’s Sports Tour was nothing short of eventful!

The 2012 Sports Tour to Lake Garda, Italy was another huge success for both students and the school. Students had the opportunity to experience playing sporting activities in a foreign country and to experience the diversity of the Italian culture. The tour included the opportunity to develop skills, techniques and experiences in Dance, Football, Hockey, Netball or Rugby, in both coaching sessions/workshops and competitive matches.

Students were fantastic, both in terms of their performances and also their general attitude and effort throughout the week. There were a number of comments made from the local Italians, hotel staff, opposition players and even members of the Manic Street Preachers (whom we met on the ferry!) regarding their conduct and effort on and off the pitch - as one Italian said “a credit to both your school and to Wales”.

There were a number of standout performances in the activities and the following students received awards: ‘Top Tourists’ - Sam Hawkins (9DS), Vashti Miller (11GD) & Claire Baker (11AF) Dance - Daniel Morgan (10SN) & Katherine French (8HT) Football - Henry Edwards (9MH) & Matthew Macdonald (8BF) Hockey - Katie Gillespie (11NJ) & Edward Goldsmith (9DS) Netball - Nicole Bond (10CH) & Taylor Brown (9HF) Rugby - Zak Williams (10PY), Michaela Bowen (10SN) & Luke Macdonald (9PK)

This year the school was fortunate to have been sponsored by Monmouthshire Housing Association. This support has built upon the already successful link between the school and Monmouthshire Housing Association and provided equipment and resources for the tour. On the following pages are some of the reflections from the week.

42 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Sarah McCartney (11LE) Millie Jenkins (8RH) On our sports tour to Lake Garda, I was set to join the dance On the 13th of April we set off to Lake Garda for a week’s visit! workshops. We were given five workshop times that we On this sports tour there were five activities you could have could go to, each being an hour and a half. At our first dance chosen from; netball, football, hockey, rugby and dance. I chose to workshop we met our dance instructor, Michelle, who was do netball.When we got to the hotel after over a day of travelling, going to teach us for all of our sessions. We started off with the weather was damp and windy, but it didn’t dampen our contemporary dancing, and our whole group participated in excitement to be in Italy! We each had a few sessions of our chosen creating a dance together, with the help of Michelle. On our activity. It was lovely playing my favourite sport in the sun second day of the workshops we changed to street-dance (when we had some, ha-ha!).The best part of playing netball was and, after a few warm-ups, we all learnt how to lock and pop finding out and developing new techniques which we can add to our bodies, and used this in our second dance. In our last our knowledge of the sport. Not only did we play sports, we also workshop, Michelle wanted to let us learn a fun dance, so went on day trips. On one of the free days we went to Lake she taught us the Mamma Mia Musical dance to ‘Mamma Garda - it was absolutely beautiful, walking through the hustle Mia’. Every workshop was fun and exhausting, we are all very and bustle of the market next to the lake eating Italian ice cream. grateful to Michelle for teaching us for these five workshops. We also visited San Siro which was just astonishing and really interesting to think that two football clubs play on the same Jack Collins (9HS) football ground but the best part was, most definitely, shopping in My experience on the Italy sports tour 2012 was awesome! Milan. So many amazing shops to go to, if only I had taken more The bus journey was extremely long, taking over a day to get money! Despite having a thunder storm and it raining a lot we there, but it was worth it; talking to some of your best mates all had an amazing time in Italy, we came out of it with lots of whilst making new friends in every Year Group. When we new friendships! I can’t wait for the next sports tour now; it has arrived at the hotel it looked okay from the outside, but when a lot to live up to if it can be as good as Italy! we walked in I was shocked at how good the hotel was! The day trip to Milan included a trip to the San Siro Stadium, home of both Inter and AC Milan, which was amazing. The next day the footballers had our first training session and our first match. We played outstandingly well, but unfortunately we still lost by a substantial amount of goals. At our next fixture, we also played fantastically well and managed to win this game by beating the opposition 2:1; Jack Mayo scoring both of the goals. Overall, my sports tour experience was great fun and I would go again if I had the chance.

43 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Hope Henry (8MI) During April, the school ventured into Italy for the Sports Tour of 2012. After a 23 hour journey through France and Switzerland we arrived at the hotel tired and relieved to get off the coach on Saturday evening. Everyone was very excited and couldn’t wait to start the fun week of activities that lay ahead. On the Sunday, we went to Milan. It is safe to say that it wasn’t a quiet Sunday lunch like Britain has! In the morning we went to the San Siro Stadium, the home of AC and Inter Milan football teams. We went to the stadium itself, sat in VIP seats (free of charge!) and then had a tour of the changing We got back to the hotel and had some lunch and after a rooms and conference places. In the afternoon we had three few hours of relaxation we were ready to go again! and a half hours of free time to shop and do whatever we At about 4pm we all climbed aboard the coach and set off wanted - many people got ice-creams, went to Superdry and to another hockey match. saw the amazing cathedral in the centre of Milan. This time, instead of playing a separate boys and girls match, On the Monday we had the first of two intense sport days. I we played a mixed match where both boys and girls played played hockey and it was awesome! We had a lovely water together as one team. It was a good game and adrenaline based astro-turf pitch to train on, used some of the Italian was pumping throughout, especially for Emily Richards who national teams training kit and had loads of fun exercises and got a hockey ball in the eye! She was as hard as nails and activities to do! after such a shock she still cheered and supported our team! It was a great morning and at lunch time we went back to After all of the injury and suspense we came out the winners, the hotel for some Italian cuisine. After a wonderful lunch of with two amazing goals scored by Alistair Williamson and pasta and an assorted buffet, we had a couple of hours to Edward Goldsmith. relax. On the Wednesday we had an optional day and we could When it came to 4pm we had to board the bus and set off choose what we wanted to do. Everyone went to Lake Garda to our first match. The girl’s teams played first and despite a in the morning and looked around the markets and little great effort we sadly lost. It was a great experience to play shops there. In the afternoon we could again choose what such a strong team and a confidence booster for us all! we wanted to do, the options being to go either to a spa or to a place where they had go-carting, bowling and laser After we had played our match, the boys, determined not to tagging. lose, started to play. They played extremely well and eventually won! They played four sets and in the first game I chose to go on the spa trip and it was spectacular! They had won, second set drew, third set lost and in the final set they an indoor pool with lanes in (a bit like the pool in won meaning that they won overall! Monmouth), complete with a Jacuzzi. A small tunnel led to a heated outdoor pool equipped with jets and seats to sit on On Tuesday we had the second and final training session; it inside the pool that were made out of stone. was very good again because of the high standard of the pitch and the All of the people that went to the go-carting, bowling and equipment. It ran laser tagging place said that it was awesome too! pretty much the same On Wednesday night we went out for pizza, it was all paid as Monday, with for by the school and we were very grateful – there were so warm-ups followed by many different pizzas to try. dynamic stretching and some training On Thursday everyone got ready to travel back on the coach. activities to finish. Everyone was packed and ready and we left at about 2pm. The activities were Everyone was dreading the 23 hour bus journey back and great fun, ranging sad to leave the hotel in Italy. from volleyball, Everyone was really pleased when we arrived back in Britain, tackling boxes and then Wales then finally Monmouth. so much more. It was unbelievable Without the staff the trip couldn’t have been possible and that we could play from me and everyone on the tour I would like to say volleyball using thank-you for the wonderful memories and experiences that hockey equipment! will stay with us for life!

44 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

(9HS) Reuben Pierrepoint Students: One of the sports included in the Italy Sports Tour was rugby. The U15s rugby Enya Ashley-Morgan, Claire Baker, was in fact seven-a-side rugby, which proved to be a new experience for many Charlotte Bancroft, Katie Bedney, players, even those that had played rugby competitively before. The team Laura Bedney, Amy Bennett, Nicole assembled for the Sports Tour had never played together before, and certainly Bond, Michaela Bowen, Brad never Sevens Rugby, and so this proved a rare opportunity to play with new Bradley, charlie Breton, Taylor teammates and to practise a type of rugby that requires a whole different set of Brown, Lewys Bufton, Christopher skills to play. After a single training session the team set out to play against a Bull, Gareth Clarke Williams, Ruben local Italian team. Although we didn’t win, the team did learn a lot of valuable Collin, Jack Collins, Bronwen lessons about how to work together and get the ball out of contact as quickly as Crabtree, Megan Crabtree, Henry possible. The local rugby club were extremely welcoming and provided a meal Damon, Matthew Davies, Jacob after the match for the players. The next day saw another training session, in Draper-Stone, Chloe Dunmore, which I had my first experience of Gaelic football, a sport which consists of a Henry Edwards, Tabitha Elmes, football being thrown, kicked or bounced in any direction, with players hurling Melody Fawcett, Timothy Ford, themselves at the person with possession, whose aim is to score either in the Katherine French, Euan Gillespie, football goal, or to kick it through the rugby posts behind them. I have to say it Katie Gillespie, Annie Glynn-Jones, was new and was a very enjoyable hour. The second match, later that evening, Edward Goldsmith, George saw the team play even more quickly, hard and skilled than the night before, and Goldsmith, Mathew Goldsmith although not coming away with a win, the rest of the team and myself gained a Molly Griffin, Rhodri Griffiths, Alex huge amount of experience and, indeed, confidence in playing the sport. It was Grubb, Joel Haile, Nye Hamer obvious during and after the match how much passion the players had, and how Nichkells, Megan Harrington, much they cared about the match they were playing. Samuel Hawkins, Hope Henry, After the game, the team were once again Jordan Holder, Caitlin Hyde, Daniel invited to eat by the rugby club, during which Impey, Milline Jenkins, Kiren Jhinger, we experienced some of the more ‘interesting’ Alicia Kear, Megan Kinniment- aspects of Italian rugby culture. Williams, Emily Lake, Lauren On the last day of the trip, awards were given Lanfear, Ryan Lee, Luke Macdonald, to certain players from all of the activities. In Matthew Macdonald, Lydia the U15s, awards were given to Marangon, Cameron Martin, Jack Jack Thomas, who unfortunately had to be Mayo, Sarah McCartney, Spencer taken to hospital in an ambulance during the McNaught, James Mear, Lewis first match due to mild concussion and to Miller, Vashti Miller, Charlotte Mills, Luke Macdonald, for outstanding play. I have seen him play, and am terrified of Ryan Mills, Celeste Mizen, Chloe the efficient and effective way in which Luke can completely smash opposition Morgan, Daniel Morgan, Ashley in a ruck. A final award was given to Mickey, who played with great passion and Murphy, Alexander Nicholas, commitment, not only for the Under 15s, but for the older team as well, putting Jessica Oakley, Daisy O’Hagan, her all into both games. Matthew Peters, Joshua Phillips, It, therefore, remains Lauren Pick, Reuben Pierrepoint, only to congratulate the Shannon Revill, Emily Richards, U15s team for playing Luke Richards, Glen Saunders, Harry a game that was Streeter, Thomas Taylor, Georgia completely new to all of Thomas, Jack Thomas, Ashley them, and playing to a Ward, William Watkins, Daniel level, and with a unity Whistance, Chella Wilkins, Catherine that I have never seen in Williams, Francesca Williams, Jake any other team. When Williams, Taylor Williams, Zak something as valuable as Williams, Alistair Williamson, Elliot that is achieved, winning Williamson. fades into insignificance. Staff: Mr D Egan, Miss E Biddle, Mr J Davies, The tour presented an opportunity for students to develop their skills and Mr P Michael, Mr J Murphy, understanding of sporting activities regardless of previous experience – Mr P Jenkins, Mr P Catten, developing an ethos of sport for all. Details regarding next year’s sports tour Mr R Jones, Miss K Wheeler, to Spain have already been distributed; please contact Mr Egan for further Miss J Grubb, Miss R Davies. information.

45 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Student Art

Jacob Ward Mary Hamilton

Robert Cornock

Annie James

Jed Tattersdill Josh Owens

Ellie Vallis

Josh Owens Joanna Green

Laura Davies

George Stevens Megan Stokes

Robert Cornock Nicola Bowen Amy Wallace

46 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Geography/Art Trip 2012 Netherlands Five a.m. on a Monday morning and we Wednesday morning we were up and We then loaded our luggage on to our 19 day old ready to go to the FloraHolland Aalsmeer went to the coach ready for our 12 hour journey to flower auction. Inside the huge warehouse Euromast Holland. We got to the Eurotunnel at the smell of the flowers was amazing. We in Rotterdam, designed about 10 am and just had time to get saw where the flowers were checked for in 1960. The Euromast is a tower, something to eat. After having something diseases and the big screens in the auction originally 101 metres high, and the tallest to eat we met back at the bus only to find rooms where buyers from all around the building in Rotterdam. It lost that title for out that our crossing was actually half an world could bid for the flowers picked a while but regained it in 1970 when the hour later! After the Eurotunnel journey freshly that morning. Next we went to Space Tower was added to the top of the and a long coach ride we finally reached the Clara Maria Clog and Cheese Farm. building giving it an additional 85 metres. our hotel where we were to spend the Here we were split into groups to tour the The highest viewpoint is reached by a next 4 nights. Food and sleep were very different areas. In the clog area we were rotating glass elevator - no good if you welcome. asked for a volunteer to make a clog. We don’t like heights (Mr Sims)! After lunch The next morning we woke up early nearly left James Howe behind as their we went to Rotterdam harbour - the ready for breakfast, packed our lunches apprentice! largest harbour in Europe and fourth and headed off to Amsterdam, reaching In the next room we saw the farmer’s wife largest harbour in the world. On our 75 Anne Frank’s house by 8.45am. We saw a making cheese. She told a story about minute cruise we saw stacks of massive large queue starting to build up but their ‘Farmer’s flame’ cheese - a chilli containers all around. Our final evening luckily we had the whole visit pre-booked. flavoured cheese made as a surprise for meal was followed by our Award It was strange to think this was actually her by her husband. We then returned to Ceremony - congrats to Mr Aggleton! the place where Anne had been hiding Noordwijk where the Geographers Friday saw us start on our long journey from the Nazis. Next we went to undertook fieldwork looking at tourism, home. We stopped off for lunch at Rijksmuseum, where we split into two residential and retail areas. That night McDonalds where their staff seemed groups - Art and Geography. The artists after our evening meal, we walked to the surprised but happy to serve a coach full sketched their favourite exhibit whilst the Bowling complex where we had an hour of students. Back in the UK we made Geographers looked around the museum. of bowling – with Perris becoming the good time home and were happy to see The Geographers then went on a canal overall champion. our families and own beds. Thanks to and harbour cruise (the 5th largest On Thursday, our last full day, we went to Mr Sims, Mrs Boswell, Mr Aggleton, harbour in Europe) whilst the Artists Delft to see how the pottery is made. It Mrs Chaplin and Ms Grubb for an action visited the Van Gogh packed week. was interesting to see how the black ink Natasha Bradley, museum.We then went back glazed blue in the kiln. Here we were able to the hotel for our evening to buy gifts for home. Y10 meal and quiz night.

47 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Motion Racing Motion Racing showed our racing talent as we were beaten on the track by only one car at the F1 in Schools UK National Finals in April.

The venue for the competition was the prestigious Big Bang Fair held at the NEC, Birmingham, with over 100,000 visitors attending. Overall, Motion Racing came 5th of the 20 participating teams, with only a few points separating the best teams. The team now has a place in the International Finals, with participants from over 40 countries competing for the title Monmouth Comprehensive. The advanced features of the of F1 in Schools World Champions. Pembrokeshire Portal are used to communicate using chat, video-conferencing and to share files. This enables the team to F1 in Schools is a great way for students to learn a range of ‘real collaborate effectively wherever they are. life’ skills. Cars are designed on computer, then machined from balsa and finally painted and finished to a showcase sheen. This The judges were impressed by many aspects of Motion Racing, year, wheels and aerofoils were fabricated using a ‘world-class including our Pop Art branding, professional pit display and manufacturing’ 3D printer, available on-line to all excellent verbal presentation. Our car was beaten into 2nd place Pembrokeshire schools through the Pembrokeshire Education by a mere 4/100s and by a team four years our senior. Portal. The cars are powered by ‘soda siphon’ gas canisters, Motion Racing have also been invited to showcase their work travelling the 20m race track in just over a second! Teams have and conduct racing demonstrations at the Excellence in to present verbally, create portfolios, build a pit stand and Engineering Wales trade show at the Celtic Manor. This is a manage all the business aspects of marketing, finance and unique opportunity to represent the achievements of young sponsorship. people and to network the multi-national engineering As the car designer, I recently moved to Monmouthshire, companies. resulting in a unique collaboration between Ysgol Dewi Sant and Miles Isted s’Jacob

48 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Monmouth’s Got Talent!

County Hall in Cwmbran, the Symphony Junior Monmouth’s Got Talent) I felt a Hall in Birmingham and also the great deal of stress and pressure. Ella and I performance hall in Wyastone, Nimbus had been working on many different pieces Records. As I slowly improved my musical that we could possibly perform for the ability, my attention turned to playing night but none of them seemed right. We more modern music, a contrast to the weren’t feeling too optimistic but then we orchestral, classical music. I started thought of the ‘mash up’ possibility, which watching videos on YouTube of people of course we went for; covering Florence & doing covers of other famous artists’ The Machine’s Shake It Out with Alex music. I found this mesmerising, to have Winston’s Choice Notes. the ability to alter the style and Ella: The night of the performance characteristic of a song and make it your brought in many thoughts: Are we ready? I own. This was when I came across Ella. Ella: I’ve always loved music. I started don’t want to trip up on stage. Should I playing the flute at the age of seven, Ella first started posting music videos onto keep practising my voice? What should I performing in various school productions YouTube at the start of 2010.When George wear? But of course this all went out of the and in the local orchestra. My first solo accidently came across her page whilst window when we went on stage and the singing performance was in Y7, when I searching through videos on YouTube, a spark lights went down. joined the school choir and there was an ignited. George proposed the idea of getting George: During the results of that night’s opportunity to perform and sing alone. I together to ‘jam’ with each other and play competition, Ella and I, along with through some songs. This proposal led to the chose to sing a solo piece, Chasing Ellie and Freya, were chatting away forming of ‘Wearethemusicmen’ (look it up). Pavements by Adele. After that backstage, oblivious to what was ‘Wearethemusicmen’ is an idea for a band performance, I was offered the chance to happening on stage. That was when we name that comes from the old folksong ‘The sing in a jazz group, and we were lucky heard our names being called, - 3rd place! Music Man’. enough to play in the Birmingham We really believed that we’d managed to Symphony Hall and also at Raglan Since the YouTube page has been established, get 3rd place in the competition so Ella and Festival. A few years ago I started to learn Ella & George have accumulated over 30,000 I walked on stage feeling pretty happy and the piano which was when I discovered my views with a total of 30 videos with numerous shocked at the same time... that was when passion for song writing. I’ve always loved ‘positive’ comments. They hope for the they started calling out other contestants in folk artists and alternate music mainly publicity and positivity to continue to the ‘final three’. Then the realisation came because of their musical style and increase. that there was still the possibility of inspirational lyrics. After a few tries I George: I think there’s always been some winning this competition. realised I could write some decent material sense of pressure in my family to compete that could succeed in making a successful George Thomas & Ella Sutton and reach the final of Monmouth’s Got song. After a while, improving my voice Talent. With both of my brothers Ella Sutton and George Thomas (A.K.A. and my ability with guitar, I thought it competing and reaching the final stage I Wearethemusicmen) are the first students from would be a good idea to post videos on guess I had a lot to live up to... Well, as the Monmouth Comprehensive School to win YouTube to gain a wider audience and auditions came around, I was constantly Monmouth’s Got Talent and, as their prize, critic. This started off a bit slow, as it is nagging Ella saying that we must audition! will be spending the day at Nimbus Records’ always difficult and nerve racking to post Eventually she said we could have a shot Recording Studio in Wyastone. Having something close to home such as a talent and this led to success as we got through written several original songs they now hope on the World Wide Web. However, as views the auditions. to play at live gigs and open mic sessions started to roll in I gained a new kind of throughout the year. They will work towards Ella: After getting through the first confidence, one which led me to think I creating an album and, hopefully, we will see could really go somewhere with this. This auditions of the competition this gave me a their names in big lights in the future! was when I was introduced to George. great boost of confidence! Again it made George: I’ve always had a passion for me realise that we really have something music in my life; however, I never knew together. As the semi finals came around that this passion would lead me to meet that was when we realised that we hadn’t Ella. I first started playing violin when I prepared a different song, so we thought was about 6 and this, I thought, was the we’d lost our chances of getting to the coolest thing to do. But then I decided to finals because we didn’t have something take up playing the piano as well, to follow new to perform. But again we prevailed, in my brother’s footsteps. When I got to our rendition of Alex Winston’s Choice about 11, when I joined MCS, I realised Notes confirmed us a spot in the 2012, that I loved performing and playing on Monmouth’s Got Talent final! stage to the biggest audience possible. George: As we drew closer to March 9th Through the North Monmouthshire (the week in which Departmental Orchestra group (in which I used to play in coursework deadlines were due AND the Senior Strings) I played in places such as week in which I was co-hosting the final of

49 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Summer Learning Year 7 Adventures at Hilston Park

from the other band and we couldn't wait to make new friends and share the fun with them. After a meeting in the Reception Hall at Hilston, we were shown to our rooms where we quickly put our things away and made our way to our first activity and the tree that I found myself on top of. I counted to three and launched myself from the safety of my platform towards the pole and the possibility of broken bones. I found myself dangling from the pole by my legs with a huge smile across my face - let the fun begin! Next up was rock that and had a great time learning how climbing which was just great, my favourite activity of the whole trip. to find our way around with a compass After going up by ourselves we were with our friends. As I stood on top of the really small blind folded and had to rely on our We all had a brilliant time at Hilston. It platform on top of the really tall tree friends to guide us up. It was brilliant was great to try so many new activities looking at the really flimsy pole I'd having friends that I could trust to get and work with my friends in a team. been told to leap across to, the me home safely. We spent the evening We also enjoyed seeing our teachers excitement I'd felt that very morning having a really good dinner and getting outside of school (particularly those seemed to be fading! to know our new friends. with such questionable fashion sense!). My alarm clock had gone off at On Tuesday it was time to get wet and Louise Pardington 6.30am that morning, finally signalling we went canoeing. Our first job was to the end of a sleepless night spent tie our boats together as the water was wondering about all the great activities too high and then we played a game Walking in that I'd soon be doing at Hilston Park where we had to run from boat to boat as part of our Summer Learning Week. tapping everyone on the head. One of the Wye Valley My friends were just the same on the our team put their foot down in the bus on the way to school and by the wrong place and slipped straight into Llandogo - Day One time Registration was over, you could the water which was really funny and have bottled the excitement! Our we helped her get back out. Before we On Monday, Y7 walked in the Wye Form had been paired with a Form knew it most of us had fallen in or Valley. We were split into groups found a reason to jump in anyway and according to which walk we chose, and we were all soaking wet and laughing. set off on our bus. I wasn't looking forward to We arrived at Llandogo and sat down Wednesday's activity as much - by the War Memorial as Mr Collins orienteering just didn't sound like fun (our Group leader) talked to us about but I decided to try my best to enjoy it. where we were and the surrounding I didn't have to try too hard either area, introducing us to our local tour because it was actually really good fun. guide who was joining us for the day. We had to find our way to different We looked at a number of species of points using just a compass and a map, plants and animals we found on the collecting numbers along the way and quadrant by the war memorial and there were prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd recording our findings.We then moved place. We weren't too bothered about to a field full of long grass next to the

50 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Wye and recorded what we found Gilwern Outdoor on). Once you reach the top of the there. Once the information from pole, there is a very small square both areas was collected, we compared Education Centre - platform that twists around when you our results from each field. There lean on it – you have to pull yourself were more species in the field by the Days Three to Five onto the platform and then jump off river than in the short grass by the war We set off for Gilwern on Wednesday the platform (which is mega-high!) and memorial. morning and, on arrival, went to the grab onto a metal trapeze.The majority meeting room where Craig (the of people who got to the top of the We walked across the field to a person in charge) told us about the pole jumped, but missed the bar. Only footpath by the river where the tour activities we would take part in and two people managed to grab the bar. guide and Mr Collins showed us two what was expected of us. After finding invasive species of plant. We learned After this, we walked down to the our rooms and grabbing a change of how these plants survived better than wood and got into pairs with one clothing, we made our way to the the indigenous plants and about the person in each pair putting on a activity building. Each room had a damage they were causing. The two blindfold. We clipped ourselves different sign on it and we entered the plants were Himalayan Balsam and together and the blindfolded person ‘canoeing’ room and learnt about our Japanese Knot Weed. followed the verbal directions from activity. We then went outside to the their partner, working their way After our picnic lunch, we climbed minibus, putting on our buoyancy through lots of obstacles. LOTS of steps up a hill to a house. We aids, before setting off to the canal. At sat in the garden looking out at the the canal we lifted the canoes off the That evening, after tea, the teachers amazing view whilst the man who lived trailer and were shown canoeing and organised a talent contest. Quite a lot there told us about the history of that safety techniques before we put our of people entered and the acts section of the Wye Valley. He showed boats on the water. We played several included singing, dancing, comedy us a painting of how Llandogo looked games in the canoes then turned routines, drawing the teachers and 50 years ago – a very big difference around and paddled back to the playing musical instruments. After a between now and then. Back then, the minibus, loaded the canoes on the tiring day, we all went to bed. hills were bare of trees as they were trailer and returned to Gilwern. The next day was our final day so we using them to make charcoal whereas After tea, Miss Price, Mr LeBoeuf and packed up everything, hoovered our trees now covered the hillside. the other teachers organised a quiz rooms, stripped the beds, piled all our before bedtime. bags in the common rooms and went off to breakfast. After breakfast we Our activity the next day was went on our last activity – orienteering. climbing. We made our way to the We competed against another group climbing rooms and put on our but, unfortunately, they won! After harnesses and hard hats. We were then lunch we went to the souvenir shop taken to the climbing wall with some of and bought things to take home. us working the ropes whilst our friends climbed the wall. We then swapped We thanked all the staff at Gilwern roles – it was surprising how many then loaded the bus and headed back After our visit we walked a little way reached the top. to MCS. back down the hill to find a different path which led up to two rocks called After lunch we went to do the crate Hannah Wood Bread and Cheese, because of their challenge. You have to stand on a small shapes. We then made our way back stack of crates (with our harness on) down the hill to catch the bus back to and try not to knock them over. The school. Group Leader kept stacking the crates so the tower got higher and higher and Making our TV the group with the highest stack of crates before it falls is the winner. The adverts - Day Two winning group balanced on crates Tuesday saw us back in our Form stacked 14 high! Groups, working together to plan and Once everyone had completed the produce a presentation/advertisement crate challenge, we moved on to the for our walks in the Wye Valley. We trapeze. The trapeze involves climbing planned what we were going to include the equivalent of a telephone pole with before moving on to the ICT rooms to metal pipes sticking out of it for produce our final pieces. footholds (obviously with our harness

51 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Summer Learning Year 8

looks good, was it meant to have writing wedding cakes which were amazing. in it? Wow hers is well presented with a How much time and effort must it lovely cover, should I have decorated have taken to produce, from scratch, mine? over 300 cakes?! Plus the special ‘H&B’ cake which we shared. I started to get that feeling - the sinking one. (Which there was no real reason The Day for, as it turns out.) As a whole I believe it ran pretty A few days later the plans had been smoothly with a few minor bumps in judged.A Bride, two to four Bridesmaids, the road but that’s part of the a Groom, a Best Man and a Father of experience isn't it? the Bride had to be picked - along with three ushers from each Form. We arrived early to school and started having our hair done, enjoying the Out of nowhere an announcement for feast of ‘this and that’ brought in by “Bethan Morgan and Philippa Parry Mrs Edwards.The cookies were by far to please go to R2 this break time…” I the most popular. It didn’t take forever was honestly disappointed because I to do our hair so for a while everyone We did it.We really did it. Phew! Those thought only two ushers were to be played UNO. were the first words I spoke when we picked, and I guessed it was me and came out of the hall and the door Philippa. Once we had attended a non-dress closed behind us. I sighed - we’d done dress rehearsal (nice suits by the way!) When we got there I found that there it. Then I thought about how long it it was time to get dressed. A few weren’t as many people as I thought had taken to organise this one day – six changes were made to the dresses and there we going to be - maybe we whole months but it had really paid a few pins were required but we made weren’t going to be ushers. After a off. I was involved from the start, it. Until this came from Millie “Do you little chat the roles were decided: whether I knew it or not. I’d always think these shoes would be OK? These are Alexi Pavlimbey - Father of the Bride, heard tales of a wedding - now, I can the only ones I’ve got.” They were Henry Edwards - Groom, Owen Hughes tell them.Tales of an experience I can’t purpley-pinky Converse. “No Millie - Best Man, Philippa Parry - Chief forget. No. Can you borrow, beg or steal from Bridesmaid, Millie Sutton, Ani Steele someone?” No-one had anything You may have already guessed but I and Chloe Dunmore - Bridesmaids, suitable but then I had and idea, since was the bride, but it wasn’t as simple as and Bee Morgan (me) - Bride. YAY! I wouldn’t be wearing my black pumps that. There was a lot of planning Oh wait aren’t I supposed to think about maybe Millie could wear them! Millie involved - in fact we were all wedding it first before making a decision? is the same shoe size as me so they fit planners. Time passed and things started to - sorted. Our task: by 3rd March we had to happen: I got the occasional up-date We hung around out of sight for a create a full and detailed wedding from the boys about speeches and while, peeping out of the window at plan. Not too difficult, until you realise suits, while the girls attended dress what other people were wearing. It that you’ve kept putting it off as you fittings and hair and make-up trials was time… want to do other things and then find and then we all attended rehearsals - you only have a week to do it – which except Alexi. Turns out Alexi was ill Time for the REAL THING, no was my situation. I still managed to the week before the wedding so all worries it will be fine. It was. I said what produce a wedding plan and made my through rehearsals my father was my I was meant to, so did Henry, not to whole family check everything they husband’s best friend – confused? We mention Father Lyndon, also Frey and could. Then I arrived at school and were. Chloe did an amazing job at their saw the other plans. reading - good singing too. On the Wednesday and Thursday Oh, was mine meant to look like that? before the wedding a few students had As in a real wedding, the Best Man, Mine has writing in it, hers doesn’t, but it been making and decorating the Groom and Father of the Bride are

52 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 required to write and make a speech. Signs and Murals Henry went first and all he said was true - a mighty thanks to all the staff During Summer Learning Week I took from me too. Then Owen. There was part in the Signs and Murals activity. I not a single person there who wasn’t chose this because I enjoy art, I think I laughing, especially when it came to “I am quite creative and I have a good must say Ani, Chloe, Millie and Philippa imagination. I enjoyed this activity you all look…” He paused then very much because as well as having a suddenly looked round, “FIT!” passion for art, I got to enjoy it with Everyone was in fits of laughter. After my friends. The projects that went on that we all left and went to go get during the two days were fun and changed. It was great experience. expressive - the first project was to design and paint a mural for the Music Thanks must go to Father Lyndon, Department. I chose to paint a picture The R.E., English, Music, D&T and of Jessie J because she is one of my Art Departments, Shirtbox, Hair and favourite singers and she definitely make up students and Mrs Edwards’ Mrs Fuller we were joined by Hazel stands out in a crowd. Mother - the bouquets were fantastic and Shirley who kindly came in to by the way - for making the day that The second project was to paint a sign teach us the basic skills for decorating little bit more special. An extra special for disabled drivers in the car park.We wedding cakes. Along with Hazel and thanks though to Mrs Edwards and were given a printout of the normal Shirley came an array of different Mrs Perry-Philips for co-ordinating wheel chair sign and had to moulds, cutters and coloured icing we the day. incorporate patterns similar to the could use to let our imaginations run Bethan Morgan style of Hundertwasser, who we have wild! The day began with a talk from been studying in our art lessons. We My Summer our visiting experts about how they used wooden boards for both of the started decorating cakes and a quick signs/murals. My favourite thing we Learning Experience lesson in how to use the different did was the pictures for the Music (Wedding Cakes) shapes and colours we had available. Department. They looked very The next job was to make over 300 professional because of the paints we When I arrived at my activity for white circles to put on the cakes for the used and the tips we were given by our Summer Learning you could tell that icing to lie on. The class quickly teachers. I am very glad I chose this everyone in the room was excited. formed into a mini production line activity because everyone likes music Most people had chosen wedding with one person rolling, another (which was an obvious theme) so the cakes as their first or second choice cutting and a final person sticking paintings interested us and made us all and we were all waiting to find out them onto the cakes. After every cake the more eager to finish them and see what our two day course in wedding had a white base the fun could really them on display to the rest of the cake decorating would be like! All the begin! The class was set free to create school. cakes we made and decorated were to enough icing decorations to have one be used for the Y8 wedding on Friday. Kitty Jones per cake. The decorations varied from The first day was taken up with hearts to letters and from flowers to baking. Endless amounts of ingredients birds. Everybody really enjoyed were weighed, whisked and baked to creating the decorations and it was a finally result in over 300 cakes! As you great feeling to see the finished cakes can imagine this took up a fair amount with their delicate decorations ready to of the day but there was still time left be enjoyed by Y8 the following day. to do some research after lunch. We looked at wedding cakes from all over In three words I would describe the the world stretching from France to India. two days as enjoyable, creative and The day was finished with the group interesting and I’m sure that I join the sketching ideas for the icing decorations rest of the group in saying that we are we were to make the following day. very grateful for the help that Hazel, Shirley and Mrs Fuller gave us. The fun of the second day started as soon as we arrived! Along with Grace Allan

53 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Summer Learning Year 9

The Monday of Summer Learning were some really Week was a technology day. We interesting completed a series of activities creations. involving problem solving and team Wednesday saw us work skills. In the first activity we had spend the whole to designing our own racing car and day planning and then build it out of paper, which was preparing for the tricky but fun. In the next activity we school fete where had to design a race car to scale, this we would be selling was interesting and challenged us to our product that we really think about what we were doing. had designed and The third activity was the Ping Pong created for our Ball Challenge. You have to design a Business Enterprise. The whole of Overall, Summer Learning Week was mechanism that would let the ping Y9 went around the school putting fun and we really developed our skills pong ball roll down the slowest. We up posters to advertise their product as learners, taking one step towards only had 40 art straws and masking and we were also hard at work putting completing our Welsh Baccalaureate tape to complete this challenge but it the finishing touches to our planning Programme. was fun and it worked well. Our last and making sure everything was in and final challenge was a competition Paige Lewis place. to see who could build the highest tower that could hold the weight of a Thursday was the day of the school tennis ball.We were only given an hour fete. In the morning we added the to build it and we had to use 60 art finishing touches to our stalls and straws and masking tape. It was a decorated them. In the afternoon we difficult challenge but an enjoyable actually managed to sell our products, one. despite the 10 minute heavy rain shower. The school fete was a huge On the Tuesday morning we went on a success and lots of money was made. walk to Beechenhurst and took pictures of the art and then used it as We put PowerPoint presentations inspiration later on. In the afternoon together on Friday morning and we went out on the sports field and did presented them to our Forms. Each some land art. We used the natural Form then decided on their favourite materials around us to create art out of and that group was then put forward them on the field - we could do to be part of Dragons Den.Three local anything we wanted with it and there business people came into school and we presented our presentations to them. They then decided on the top three, with the winning group receiving the main prize which was going on a trip in September to a local business.

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55 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Summer Learning Year 10

a very tiring though very rewarding experience and, for many, was the final chapter in completing the DofE scheme.

There were plenty of other opportunities for those who did not take part in the expedition. As part of the Welsh Baccalaureate,Year 10s must carry out some form of voluntary work in the local community. For many this was covered in the work which was required for the DofE but, as part of Summer Learning, some students took part in a multitude of activities throughout the community including many which provided services for Bridges Community Centre. Monday out on the walk at 9am and those who As well as work in the local area, there did left at 11am. After lunch at the was work to be done within the school. For many Year 10s at least, Monday Biblins Bridge the party returned to A number of students, particularly was perhaps the most challenging day school, with those who had taken a those who enjoy art, helped the academically. GCSE exams carried 9am walk competing in a sporting Science Department by creating a over onto this, the first day of Summer mini-tournament when they returned. painted display to decorate the Science Learning, and many of the Y10 corridor. The display, which can now students were required to sit a Tuesday and be seen outside Room 13, shows a Statistics exam in the morning. Wednesday large periodic table displaying the The main aim of the day, however, was As a great deal of Y10 students had chemical symbol, atomic number and to take part in a sponsored walk to opted to take part in the Duke of atomic mass of all of the elements.The raise money for one of two charities. Edinburgh’s Award scheme, both Kymin View project also provided Students had the choice of which Tuesday and Wednesday were taken opportunities for artistic students as charity they wished to raise money for: up with the DofE expedition. The they worked with local primary ‘Help for Heroes’ which raises money expedition began at the Skirrid schools to produce decorations for the to support injured members of the Mountain Inn in Llanvihangel Armed Forces or ‘The Lily playground of the school. Crucorney and Foundation’ which was set up in order the teams (which to raise money to conduct research included between into Mitochondrial Disease and other 4 and 7 students) metabolic disorders as well as set off on a providing support for those who are mountain walk at affected by the conditions. regular intervals. The weeks prior to Summer Learning After camping were spent collecting sponsorship at a site near ready for the walk. The walk itself was Llanthony Priory, from our school to the Biblins site in we took a different the Wye Valley and then back. Those route back to the who did not sit the morning exam set Inn. Overall it was

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in Black’ which has been on in the West End for over 23 years. A wonderful, and somewhat terrifying, time was had by all with the play forming part of the GCSE drama coursework. Friday Whilst the majority of DofE students took part in the expedition on Tuesday and Wednesday, there were several groups (around 20 students) who took part instead on Thursday and Friday. Aside from the date, the expedition was unchanged. On the fifth and final Thursday In the afternoon the Red Cross carried day of Summer Learning, Year 10s out two workshops dealing with First who were in school took part in a Throughout our time at school, Year Aid. The Year Group was split into Sports Academy day where we had the 10s have taken part in various two and switched between the two opportunity to take part in a number workshops and activities concerning activities, one of which taught CPR of sports which we would otherwise safety and first aid. The aim of and the other how to deal with minor have been unable to try. These Thursday’s activities was to truly cuts, burns and other such injuries. included judo, fencing, street dance consolidate the knowledge built up and many more. over our time at school with GCSE drama students had the presentations given from local police opportunity to travel to London Overall, Summer Learning provided a officers, the Red Cross, the local fire during Summer Learning. They fun and active way to learn straight service, community youth nurses and visited Fortune Theatre in London after the exam period. where they watched the play ‘Woman Trading Standards. Chloe Jai Blake

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Out in the big, wide world.... In November, 254 Year 11 students took part in a one week Work Experience placement. Students researched and organised their placements in an employment area of their own choosing. This experience forms a key component of the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification that all students study in Years 10 and 11.

It was evident from the range and do for an occupation in the future. I Each day contained different calibre of placements that students decided that I wanted to do challenges that developed skills and were aspirational in their approach to something medically based and my understanding, whether it was making securing a week’s Work Experience. initial thoughts leaned towards a plaster-of-Paris models of my own Placements included Welsh Assembly hospital or surgery of some kind. To teeth, helping with the administrative Government, General Dynamics, Hilton cut a long story short, I found a side of the business, drilling and Hotels, Welsh Rugby Union, placement at Trefynwy Dental Practice putting fillings in model mouths or Beechams, Marks and Spencers and that met my requirements. These injecting tomatoes and oranges with the RAF as well as many employers included exposure to a medical anaesthetics; there was never a dull based in Monmouth and the environment, hands-on activities and moment. surrounding areas. Some students understanding the general workings of Taking part in work experience inspired even secured placements abroad in a medical facility. me to think more openly about my Portugal, Guernsey, Ireland, Los future career options. During my time Angeles, Northern Ireland, UAE and Egypt. the most valuable lessons I learned was being stimulated and happy in my Students in Y10 are currently in the chosen place of work and feeling a process of finalising their placements sense of reward in what I did. for their Work Experience week which takes place 19th-23rd November. Alex Boyrazian (11AF): Below some of the Y11 students share their experiences. GE Aviation For my Work Experience placement I Lewis Kramer (11LE): applied to several different avionic Trefynwy Dental Practice, On arrival I was immediately exposed companies such as Rolls Royce and Air to the day to day running of a business Bus, however I ultimately secured at Monmouth as well as observing what went on in placement with GE Aviation. This Where do you start when planning the dental surgery. I was asked to ended up being a fantastic placement your Work Experience? For me it invite patients into the surgery as well and I learnt several new things about a started with thinking where I wanted as mixing the solution for an jet engine. My course lasted for one to go and what I thought I wanted to impression. The days seemed to fly by! week and I have applied to return for

58 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

another two weeks next summer. I I was welcomed into the class of about customers and prepare and serve any have chosen avionics as a career choice ten boys and girls where I helped the desserts that they ordered. Once the so working with an avionics company teacher and three teaching assistants lunch had been served we then had to for the week is fantastic experience. to follow each pupil’s education clean up ready for the evening. programme. The atmosphere was Over the five days I compiled the low From my Work Experience I have relaxed and caring. A wide range of pressure turbine and the turbo thruster. gained many skills. However, the main multi-sensory equipment is used on a I have learnt many new skills such as development was my communication daily basis. The swimming and horse wire locking, torqueing and using skills; I feel I am more confident when riding trips were particularly enjoyable giant cranes. The entire process of my speaking to people due to my time at as was the end of week assembly. placement has been complicated but my Work Experience. enjoyable. I found it very interesting During the week I developed my and have been given the opportunity communication skills, both with the Sara Tyler (11TR): for a three year apprenticeship followed pupils and teaching team. I learnt that Elite Divers by a sponsored degree. Thanks to this effective communication is very Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt opportunity if I successfully gain an A important in the working environment. in Physics and Maths at A-level, my The insight I gained into teaching I went to Egypt for Work Experience to university will be paid for by GE. children with learning difficulties scuba dive with Elite Divers based in showed me that it is very challenging Sharm El Sheikh. Work Experience has helped me but also rewarding. No matter how develop my choice of avionics and has A simple day consisted of three dives severe the children’s difficulties, they along with checking that there were already kick started my career. I’m all have so much potential and the enough tanks and spare equipment for looking forward to returning to GE this challenge and reward is to help them customers. I had to ensure that all next summer and working once again develop this potential. information forms were complete, along side the LPT team. Shannon Revill (11AF): lunch was ordered and the money for Claire Baker (11AF): the crew collected - the boat was often Old Court Hotel, filled with up to 20 divers. Heart of the Forest Symonds Yat Many days out often consisted of Community School, For my Work Experience placement I travelling to the National Parks, so I Coleford went to the Old Court Hotel in In November, I joined the Heart of the Symonds Yat. During my week I had Forest Community School for my Work many roles and responsibilities Experience. This is the only school in including filling up the sauce pots, the Forest of Dean serving children and cleaning up and relaying the tables young people (ages 3-19) with severe from breakfast, filling up the tea and and multiple learning difficulties. Like coffee dispensers and cleaning and all schools, it follows the National restocking the cutlery. Every morning we would have a list of jobs to Curriculum, but each pupil has their complete. own Individual Education Programme to meet their needs. During lunch we would serve the

59 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

would have to collect passports for the employee for the Welsh Assembly hood of the car. During this work I got authorities to check. Government and I would definitely to observe some hand aluminium recommend doing Work Experience welding - the skill in the welding and I really enjoyed my Work Experience there. general manufacturing abilities from and learnt that there is a lot more to all of the employees was incredible, a running a dive company than meets Will Kemp (11NJ): level of skill that I hadn’t seen before the eye. Days can be very long and and I found it highly impressive. extremely tiring. My Work Experience Forge Motorsport, helped me to further my passion for Gloucester Work Experience has really helped me the ocean and to develop more as I had previously been interested in For my Work Experience I managed to interest in having a career in Marine engineering, and I am now sure that it obtain a placement at Forge Biology. is a field I want to pursue further. Motorsport of Gloucester. Forge is a Sophie Macklin (11NJ): worldwide company that creates I would like to thank all of the staff at performance parts for cars. The most Forge for an eye-opening week into Welsh Assembly popular product that Forge make is a the world of engineering, their time Government, Cardiff dump valve, a part that prevents the and their tutoring. Working as part of turbo charger damaging the car’s a world renowned business really For Work Experience I went to the exhaust system. In the week that I made me realize how lucky I was to Welsh Assembly Government where I spent at Forge I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity that worked with the Translation Unit and see this invention being completed many others sixteen year olds would the Welsh Language Team. from start to finish, but it was not just never have. I chose this placement because I am an education in engineering, I was well interested in becoming a foreign and truly taken under the company’s languages translator in the future. I wing. I was able to sit in on was able to talk with several different Development and Production employees about the jobs available in meetings, learning about the everyday translation on the Welsh Language problems and strains of a global Team. The Work Experience also business, and even allowed to work on involved going to the Senedd on three a sponsor’s car. different days and I was able to watch I absolutely loved my time with Forge different meetings taking place with especially in the Development Division, the Welsh Assembly Government as at the time the staff were working Ministers. on none other than X-games gold There was also an opportunity to sit in medallist and British rally-cross on a young person’s meeting with champion Liam Doran’s RS200. On Ministers where they were making this car I was able to fasten in and decisions that would involve young modify two new Forge made catch people at school in Wales. I had an cans and relevant braded hose’s. I was amazing opportunity to witness for also able to help manufacture a new myself what it is like working as an air intake system on the front, side and

60 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

The last 12 months have seen even more improvements at MCS. We continue to source local suppliers for all of our meat, and bread products are produced by Wigmores the Bakers. Catering @ Monmouth Comprehensive School

The recycling machine, which turns what would have been We would like to thank you for your support for the school rubbish into points, meant that last year’s winning Form was catering service and ask that you continue to ensure that 9SB, who have decided to save their prize until they are in Year accounts are regularly topped up. Payment can by made either 11, to have a last trip out together as a Form. through ParentPay, or by cheque, made payable to Redcliffe Redcliffe has been responsible for the Catering Service at MCS Catering Limited. since September 2000 and, by working in true partnership with ParentPay is now more popular than ever as parents can now the School, we have seen the catering offered change check their child’s purchases online. significantly. Over the last few years, convenience foods have Should you have any queries regarding the Catering Service, please do disappeared from the menu, to be replaced by a pasta, wrap not hesitate to contact the Catering Manager on 01600 775163. and jacket potato bar, a self service fruit and salad bar and the deli bar, where sandwiches and rolls are made up fresh to order. Healthy Eating, choice and quality are of vital importance to Redcliffe Catering and Monmouth Comprehensive School. We have never stood still and are continually working to improve the choices available to the students. So what have we got planned for the future? September 2012 will be very exciting as we move our catering to the next level. We will be introducing our new range of Street Food, a concept which will change every week. From Indian to Italian, Mexican to Thai, Chinese to Caribbean, all will be nutritionally analysed to meet the ‘Appetite for Life’ standards and have a lower entry price to meet all budgets. Our catering service will be open at 7am for breakfast and stay open until 6pm for tea. The breakfast and tea services are also open to parents, so come and join us.

61 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Out of School Achievements

was then to be reduced down to 40 friends that I am still in contact with My Ultimate Sports contestants via the physical selection even after the show. Ultimate Sports Day Day Experience day. Everyone in the Welsh camp wanted was an awesome show that I will never to try and impress our mentor, Christian forget for the rest of my life. Ultimate Sports Day is a TV programme Malcolm, who is a 200 metre Jacob Draper-Stone set in Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Commonwealth Gold medallist. There Scotland, where the best young athletes were a range of challenges on the test from a range of sports enter to try and day - one was the bleep test, which I got South Africa Diary get selected to be one of four children to top marks in, another was a 100 metre Dear Diary represent their country. It was aired on sprint where I got a time of 14.2 I can’t believe that it’s been over two CBBC and on BBC 2 throughout February (average) and, last but not least, a 500m weeks since I last wrote in you! I have so and March 2012. row that I also did well in. All the much to tell you about my trip to South challenges pushed you to the limit, but Applying and making Africa with Wales Under 15 cricket in my experience with the adrenalin Team Wales team! pumping through your body and that Arriving home from school one sense of drive, all the pain went away The first thing that I noticed when we afternoon, I saw an advert on the TV until afterwards. As you can see, I made landed in Johannesburg for the first saying “are you the best sports man in it through to Team Wales, alongside Joe, week of the trip was the heat. I have your school or in your club? Why not Hannah and Izzy and had a fantastic never been so hot in my life and I had no enter for this…” As soon as I heard it I time on the show! choice but to take a swim in the pool went straight on my computer and every day to help me cool down! We did printed off an Ultimate Sports Day entry My favourite moments so much while we were there, including form. I filled everything in and when my My favourite moment would have to be visiting a lion park, seeing Lesedi Cultural mum got home I asked her to sign it for meeting all the people and other Village, staying at the Pretona Centre of me at that moment. I was so excited! I athletes. I never would have thought I Sporting Excellence and going on safari sprinted to the post box and posted it. would be meeting a Commonwealth at Mabula Lodge which was my Two weeks went by and I was feeling Gold medallist runner and a Feather favourite part of the whole trip. I got to gutted because I thought that I hadn’t Weight World Boxing Champion, Barry see all “Big Five” animals - (elephants, got in, but my luck changed when my McGuigan. My second favourite lions, rhinos, buffalos and leopards) in dad texted me to say the TV organiser moment would have to be making new their natural environment which was was really interested in me going on friends who shared the same interests. I great. We played three matches and Ultimate Sports Day. I just couldn’t wait have stayed in touch with a lot of them won one, the South African teams were until I got home and sent off more and all of the other Welsh team really strong and we were pleased to get information about my health and ability. members. My final favourite moment a victory in the final match. The next day my dad was told I was would have to be representing Wales After Johannesburg we flew to Cape travelling up to Scotland to film the first against England, Ireland and Scotland - Town for our final week and played our stage of the TV show. when I put that Welsh top on I was so last two matches and came away with a proud to be Welsh and so happy that I I had made it through the first selection win and a loss against two really good was one of the final four athletes out of stage via the application form, where sides. 400 boys and girls (100 each from 100 to challenge all the other nations. Cape Town is amazing with so much to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Altogether, Ultimate Sports Day was a see and do. We were there for a whole Ireland) were picked from thousands of great time. It helped to build up my week and visited Robben Island where applicants. This 100 people per country confidence and I made lots of new Nelson Mandella was imprisoned (I even

Jacob Draper-Stone Emily Pardington

62 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 got to see his tiny cell), went to the the Tideway in London – this is the boat Langa township, went on a seal tour and race course in reverse. did some serious shopping at the ‘V and Many students from MCS are part of the A ‘Waterfront! Savoy Youth Theatre, which is an Holly Bluett South Africa was amazing and I’m very organisation bringing young people lucky to have been able to go. I played in together and giving them a voice in the all five matches and bowled pretty well wider community. They learn social and throughout the tour, I even batted well communication skills, trust, respect and and didn’t get out once (a real surprise loyalty from being part of this large for me and the coaches!). family. On March 30th they performed for the old folks at Bridges Community Love Emily Pardington Centre, Monmouth, and at the end of Easter (20/21st April) they performed, to Other Achievements critical acclaim, the huge show of Jack Holly Bluett (8MI) recently achieved a and the Beanstalk, at the Savoy Theatre, first class pass in karate taking her to her Monmouth. 8th Kyu. This achievement is testament They have worked incredibly hard, not to Holly's determination as she has just just on performing, but doing lights, undergone five months of intensive costume, make up and also marketing Jessica physiotherapy due to a severe wrist and publicity and fundraising. Preece injury. Ross Ingram (9HM) has been hired by EA Joanna Traverse (7PN) decided last year Games as a video editor. He has made a to learn to play the piano. She has, Crysis 3 trailer and is currently working with no previous experience of playing on Medal of Honor Warfighter which is a the piano, just passed (in April) tremendous achievement. with credits, Level 2 of the ABRSM Eleanor Bromfield (10CH) has recently examining board. designed a window which was made in Lavar Englefield (9SH) achieved his stained glass and installed into a new purple belt in Karate in March and is door in the schoolroom of Holy Trinity working hard on his next one - the Church, Drybrook. She was asked to brown belt! come up with some designs which were Lowri Scrivens (10PM) is a keen gymnast approved by the Churchwardens and who travelled to Florida in February for a then commissioned by a local artist who competition with her club from the was able to transfer the original Forest of Dean. drawings into the work. Nathan Hawkins (7SG) has been picked Jessica Preece (8JP) was nominated for, for the Gloucester and Forest of Dean and won, a Monmouthshire Pride under 12's District Cricket Team. Award, for help in the community. Sam Royston (13TM) entered a The main part of the nomination marathon with a difference, coxing a was for her commitment and crew from Monmouth Rowing Club. dedication to her disabled brother Lavar Englefield The Boston Marathon is an annual and also for the invaluable support rowing event held between Lincoln and and help she gives to her mum. Boston using 31 miles of navigable Jessica has always put her family rivers. Bearing in mind most rowing first, even if it means she has gone events are 2km or thereabouts without or even missed out on completed in a few minutes, 31 miles is certain things, she has very strong a completely different experience for all family values and is always helping of those taking part. The entire course other people and looking for ways to took just over four hours to complete make peoples lives better. The and, in the process, the boat from nomination was put forward by a Monmouth Rowing Club set the course number of staff who work closely with record for their entry category. Sam’s Jessica’s brother who agreed that the Eleanor reaction was one of achievement in level of dedication she has for him Bromfield being able to keep the crew motivated should have been recognised and she and the boat pointed in the right should be rewarded for her direction for the whole time. A couple understanding, dedication and patience of weeks previously Sam coxed another in what can sometime be rather trying crew from Monmouth Rowing club on circumstances. Her family and friends are the annual Head of the River event on enormously proud of her.

63 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

The urban myth that this is an old man’s Anyone for Petanque? game is so out dated! This game is The sport Pétanque is similar to French boules Pétanque Association who all meet on a regular not an “old man’s and the game has recently come to Monmouth. basis both for practise and interclub matches. game” at all and Pétanque is a very old sport which has been Links have also been made with surrounding there are hundreds around since the Ancient Greeks (around 6BC) clubs in Ross on Wye, Abergavenny and of junior players all over the World. who are recorded to have played the game by Monkstone in Cardiff and we regularly meet up Clubs have only tossing coins, throwing flat stones then stone for friendly competitions. We are continually recently opened in balls. There have been many variations of boules fundraising to extend the facilities at our club, Wales and the from a stone to the well known hollow metal floodlights are the next big thing! This means numbers are soon to boule used today. By the 19th Century in more playing time! grow. Could you be one of these? England, the game had become known as lawn The game itself is wonderfully simple and suits When I first joined the club last June, I was bowling or bowles, The game of Pétanque that people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. sceptical about the game. However, I found I we know today was invented in 1907 in the Players start with three ‘boules’ which vary in size thoroughly enjoyed it. It was interesting and fun town of La Ciotat by a French player named and weight and the aim of the game is to get as Jules Lenior and the first tournament with these and I got to meet lots of new people and close to the ‘coche’ as possible. The closer your new rules was played in 1910. travelled to different clubs in the area. ‘boule’, the higher your score. It’s that simple… Representing Wales was a great experience and I The first world Championship was organised in The person furthest away from the coche after was given so much support from my club. I’m 1959 and is still played today. National each throw, throws again until all the boule have looking forward to my future with the sport. tournaments are held regularly, for example, the Pétanque is a sport which just keeps growing. Anglo-Welsh Junior Championships which was gone. The person or team with their boule closest Where will your journey take you? held in September 2011 which is where I first is holding, and however many they have closer competed at National Level. There are endless than the opposition, that is the number of points If you are interested in the game, we always have opportunities for players at International Level, scored. A game of Pétanque is played to 13 room for new members. Come along and bring even travelling all over the world. Team England points. There are other rules depending at what your friends to the Rockfield Park/Community 1 recently went to Tenerife to play. Where could level your play is at, but you can pick it up quite easily. Centre for a fun filled afternoon. Pétanque take you? Pétanque terrains vary considerably but all are Saturdays: 2pm - 4pm (approx) Our club was founded in February 2010 but the played on gravel/sandy ‘pistes’ be they rough or Wednesdays (Winter): 10am onwards playing pistes we now use regularly didn’t open fine ground. At our Rockfield club we currently Wednesdays (Summer): 6:30pm - 8:30pm fully until May 2011 and we now have a have six playing pistes and two practise pistes all Competitions are played at weekends and wonderful outdoor all weather area that is used of the finer ground type of gravel which gives a training is given by our two coaches. faster playing experience which we are proud of extensively by members. The club now has Rebecca Minshull, 11AP around 40 members licensed to the Welsh and admired for.

64 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 A Level Geography students visited by British Hazard Rescue worker

On Tuesday November 15th, Paul Simmons, about the work that he and the other 56 called to any part of the world in the event a local fireman with South Wales Fire and members of the UK team carried out in of a disaster. In Christchurch he Rescue visited the school’s Geography Christchurch, New Zealand, earlier this personally saved the lives of people students to talk about his work with the year following the devastating earth- trapped by collapsed buildings. He also UKISAR (United Kingdom International quake that killed almost 200 citizens. told us how he has to go through the grim Search and Rescue unit). Paul explained how the team is one of task of recovering bodies where fatalities He brought with him some of the only two recognised by the United have occurred. equipment used to search for the victims Nations as capable of the highest level of The students were fascinated by his trapped by the collapse of buildings international rescue and how they are all accounts and the real world nature of the following an earthquake. He also talked highly trained volunteers who can be subject that they study. Geography & PE visit to London and the Olympic sites

A group of Y9 Geography and Y13 PE also formed a link with the work that the impact of volcanic eruptions and students spent Thursday November 3rd Y9 students have been studying in lessons earthquakes and were subject to the and Friday November 4th in London. under the topic of the Geography of effects of the 1995 Kobe earthquake on The first day saw them visiting the site of Sport. The next day they spent viewing the simulator. There was also a brief the 2012 London Olympics to study the London from a great height ….on the shopping opportunity at Covent Garden. transformation of Stratford in East London Eye, visited the Natural History The very successful trip certainly packed London as a result of the construction Museum where students looked at a lot into a one-night stay and both the work for the global event.This was a main material relevant to their new unit on Geography and PE Departments look to focus for the A Level PE students and Natural Hazards. They studied the run the trip again next year.

65 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

Year 10 students of Religious Studies have been examining the now illegal caste system in India as part of their study of the religion of Hinduism. Their Senses Poems below are an expression of their understanding of the status and experiences of the RE Dalits or the ‘Untouchables’. They show marvellous empathy and personal insight. I am an untouchable, I am a Dalit I am at the bottom of society, Nothing more, nothing less I am one of the lucky ones I see slum after slum So small and so compressed I see death, violence and disease all around, I hear noises around me I see my children hungry and upset, Laughter, crying I see what you could not imagine I smell sewage waste People cleaning, people trying I hear human beings crying because of others, I scavenge for money I hear people begging each and every day because they have I beg and I plead no choice, I suffer my life I hear people being abused as there is no escape But I know I’ll succeed I do as I should I smell rotting faeces and gone off urine, Fulfilling my dharma I smell bodies burning by the river, I hope I come back I smell death all around Carrying good karma Shannon Stevens I work in the sewers, I work to feed my wife and children, I work for a better life

I suffer the pain of losing children and loved ones, I am a Dalit, I have no rights I have no dignity I suffer the attacks from others, I see suffering, brutal abuse, severe pain and disease never I suffer because they say I deserve it, diagnosed I see faeces floating and every humid scent lingering I hope for a better life for me and my family, I smell my smeared body and the pollution which interferes I hope that my children don’t get hurt, with my purity, dwelling I hope, just hope, this ends soon. I do everything which is expected of me, I accept the false superstitions and the unnecessary consequences Abi Bayliss I hear every possible cry, weep and bawling, every withdrawal from society I suffer the bruises sinking in and the betrayals of un-godly like characteristics What to appreciate about this? I am a Dalit I see my own kind lying in the street begging and people Fleur Williams walking past ignoring them as if they are oblivious of their existence I hear people cry as their child dies from hunger I smell sewerage and rotting waste piled in the river outside I am the underbelly of society, the forgotten link in a never I fear the fires that sweep through the slum destroying our ending cycle of hatred. homes I see the masses of the upper castes withdraw from me as I I feel like life has lost all purpose walk, I see them looking down on me. I suffer from illnesses that slowly kill the slums I hear the constant insults and ridicule only masked by the I hope that I move closer to Moksha in my next life ever present array of piercing noise from the slums. Adam Shields I smell the constant stench of filth that permeates my body and coats my soul as I clean the disgusting sewers of the upper castes. I hide from the ocean of people who feel it their duty to punish me, to hurt me. I am an untouchable, an outcast to society, I am not alone. I feel the weight of thousands of misdeeds crash down on I see nothing but havoc upon us, me every second of every day as I pay for the crimes of a I hear the screaming and tormenting, the law of discrimination previous life. is not obeyed. I suffer from the worst fate possibly imaginable, the constant I smell the blood sweat and tears we shed. disease and loneliness that have become attached to my I do not resent myself. tortured being. I suffer from illness, starvation, lonliness. I hope that one day I will be accepted and treated like an I hope for a better future, a home, a family….love. equal, like a human. Robyn Smillie Jack Whittaker

66 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

I am an untouchable living in the slums. I see violence and filth all around me but I also see children playing and great community spirit. The slums are filled with the sight of colour and happiness. I hear crying and calls for help but I also hear friends chatting and having fun. The slums are filled with the sound of laughter and singing. I smell burning and a strong odour from the latrines but I I am a Dalit also smell joss sticks and the inviting smell of a cooked meal I see society at its worst, how life really is, behind all the as the family gathers around. sugar coated lies, are the slums and the horrors that make The slums are filled with the scent of herbs and spices. up my experiences I clean sewers for a living and the smell clings to me but I I hear the shrill cries of those who cannot cope, lost a loved also live a happy life with my family and friends around me. one or had a beating from a man. But outside this prison, The slums are filled with high spirits. this awful hell, life continues, for those of higher caste and I suffer greatly from abuse from members of a high caste but they pass without a care because we ‘deserve it’ and are I also hope for a better future and that my family and friends ‘unworthy’. live long joyful lives and that I will eventually reach Moksha. I smell the evil that makes up this fearful, frightful life, yet Billie Jones even the stench of the open sewers that circulate the stuffy air, slowly, tediously are better than that. The malicious forces that surround this place, hold us in, like animals – we are not given a chance. I run through these cramped, filthy streets – trying to escape I am a Dalit. from this – and I reach to the skies, to the gods for answers, I am not a ‘child of God’ as Gandhi called me. for reasons and to know what I have done, but it is I am an Untouchable. untouchable, just like me. I see my shelter around me. I suffer from all of this but, I know I must have done I see happy colours that distress me more. something terrible for Brahman to do this to me, so I know I see a slum. that I do deserve it, I hear laughter and voices. I hope for another life, to perform my dharma to the best I I hear screams and crying. can, to get the best karma I can, so for that, I hope, I try, I I hear happiness, but I can’t feel it. pray, I look for answers – but most of all I live and for that I I smell dirt. am most grateful. So I hope to spread happiness and help all I smell blood and impurity. I can, so we can get through this together because we are all I smell the burning of homes in the distance. harijans, children of god, and by performing our dharma we I am a Dalit. will one day have another chance at life, another chance to I am an untouchable. reach the top, a chance to reach God. I am nothing and I will never be anything. Michaela Bowen I feel disgusting. I feel God doesn’t care. I feel deserving of this life but I am angry. I suffer with worry, fear and dread. I suffer with my family’s safety. I suffer and it goes on. I am a Dalit standing atop a decaying mound of rubbish I hope this can change. I see the slum stretched out before me, an ocean of I hope that Brahman can forgive me and see the good in me. corrugated iron extends over the horizon. I hope for a better future. I hear the screams and cries of small children, mixed in with the busy chat of people sifting through the waste. Jessica Scrivin I smell the rubbish under my feet and the stench rising from my unwashed body. I watch skeleton like dogs and people picking at the rubbish searching for food or materials to make their lives more bearable. I am an untouchable, dirty and frowned upon. I feel the waves of heat rising up from the rotting rubbish I feel pain, hurt, people want my life gone, and the sensation of it under my feet. I suffer daily with burns and scars from the people who I suffer the discrimination from others and the illnesses, life despise me on the slums brings I do cleaning out waste as a money earning job but I must I hope for liberation. remember that the money is the key. I see the lives that many like me live every day, Robert Payne I smell the stench upon my skin but I know inside, I’ll be okay, I feel sorry for myself as well as others, but is this all it seems? I hope one day I can escape this life and fulfil my hopes and dreams. Katherine Giovanelli

67 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012

I am hungry and I wonder when I’ll get the chance to eat, As I look down at the dog, curled at my feet I hope I am oppressed and looked down upon, I see flashes of vibrant coloured clothes, from those around my I see people walk past me, and only see the dirt on my skin, position, I hear the cries of people in pain every night before I drift Contrasting greatly with this bleak situation into sleep, I smell the smouldering bodies of those who I associated I hear people constantly working, humming to pass the time, myself with the day before, But also cries of pain and anguish from many victims of crime I stare at my younger siblings laughing, aware of the life they will grow into, I smell rotting, damp and waste, I feel an ache in my chest, which is constant, Surrounding this dark, cramped space I suffer from the words that have damaged my confidence, I hope I have done enough in this life to move onto a better I think about the bad deeds I previously committed, one, I will keep trying. And wonder if it was he who had me convicted Grace Blamey I suffer for what I have previously done, For now, all my family have completely gone

I hope in truth that when I appear again, I will be rewarded instead. My Life… Zoe McCarroll I am branded as a disgrace. I see the scars upon my face, reminding me of who I am, I hear the cries deep within the slums. I smell the faint burning of incense masking the rancid smell of poverty, I make beds for the deceased, I hope it is enough. I am tired, I haven’t slept comfortably in years, I am 14 years I feel ashamed of who I am, old and looking after my two younger brothers alone. I suffer in silence because no one wants to help. I see the slums all around me, no sight of greenery. I hope I have done enough to break free, I hear the screams of enjoyment coming from the mouths of I am and always will be a Dalit. young children playing in the narrow streets. Poppy Taylor I smell the strong stench of the sewage as another Dalit walks past. I sweep the chunks of dry mud out of my small cramped shelter. I feel more and more hungry thinking about my next meal My Life… which may be a long time from now. I am an untouchable, my life is based on my religion and it I suffer in silence. affects everything I do throughout it. People think I deserve it I hope that one day I will be able to desert these slums. but I know it’s my dharma to serve this life Edie Morris

I see slums every day of my life. I live in one. It’s made out of corrugated metal collected by me from landfill. It’s not just me who lives there though, my two younger brothers and sister, but others too. Of course, Dalits. I am a Dalit. I hear noises, they are non-stop. Screams, shouts, banging, I see violence in my home everyday. water, laughter. It’s everywhere. You can’t get away. I hear screaming as acid burns the skin of those who have stepped out of line. I smell mud, sewage, cooking. And, especially, me. I smell the word, close to my face as I lean against my home. I run through the slum, viewing a sea of colour from all I feel the dirt grinding on my body. I feel the hurt and misery angles, as my community, and family, envelopes of my life. I feel lost in this world and the only thing to guide me. me, GOD. I feel an ache surge through my bones as I realise what my life is and how I wish it was different. I suffer the looks, the actions of people in this world. They I suffer the impact of fists on me everyday, implanted where don’t want me here and if they are kind, it’s for their own the old bruises used to lie, replacing them with fresh benefit, not mine. markings symbolising my wrong doing. I hope to escape this, maybe rise up to a higher caste and I hope my brothers and sisters will be fine. It’s easy for them, make my life bearable. they are so young. They don’t know the pain in this world. Maybe, one day I will be a respected member of my society I know my life will improve. I am just waiting for that day. and be pure. Tilly Greenstreet I hope one day to be allowed to enter a mandir to show my full devotion to God. Jamie Leigh Morgan

68 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Thoughts from a former Head Girl

Easter holidays, 2011, were a crucial I had this certain feeling of excitement time for intense revision, exams were and a need to get involved when I visited approaching quickly and the stress levels Portsmouth on an Open Day and I knew were rising. this was the University for me! Easter 2012 sees me sitting here at I've become increasingly more home, glad to be back in Monmouth independent since my time in university - with a fully stocked fridge with only five for example, I know if I'm hungry I'm the weeks left before finishing my first year one making my dinner (not Mum), and if at university! The time has flown by, the dishes don't get washed - they never what with fully immersing myself in my will! These are all simple life skills which chosen course, making new friends, come hand in hand with being a student finding my bearings in this big new city, at university and it's fair to say I've the list is endless! become pretty used to it now. I'm studying Drama and Performance in University is everything I thought it Portsmouth which I absolutely love and would be and more - continuing your I’m so pleased I picked this University. I chosen course to such a high level, the know how hard it was to choose which social side, the night life and, most course to do as every University makes importantly, the amount you grow up. theirs as appealing as the next but in Leaving home to go to Uni is a daunting, Portsmouth I feel as though I'm really scary process as you leave behind so being pushed to exceed my comfort much but I assure you, as soon as you zone which was something I really wanted. get there, your worries are left at the One of the first tasks was free-falling off door and you begin the three best years four stage blocks into our group, a of your life! nerve-racking yet exhilarating experience! Kate Willington, Former Head Girl

69 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 The Olympic Torch comes to our school On Friday the 25th May the Olympic Torch came to our school. This was also the point at which the Torch first entered Wales! Our school hosted all the Torch Bearers for the Monmouth town part of the Relay, complete with their entourage of the World’s Press and Sponsors of the Olympic Games London 2012. The day began with the school forming into one long walking party to process through the town and take up our designated place on Cinderhill street to wait for the Torch. For many this was the best part of the day, walking down the High Street and being applauded by people from the town.You would have thought that we were more important than the Torch! Whilst we waited for the Torch, the teachers, especially Mr Jones (Mathematics) found time to keep us entertained by organising a Mexican Wave. We were standing opposite students from Overmonnow Primary school and we ended-up having a competition between the two schools. I think Overmonnow Primary school were better than we were but Mr Jones was very fast and should certainly think about entering the Olympics. The Torch came and went and we returned to school. The school catering company had organised a special ‘free’ Olympic lunch for us all. All the food was labelled with its nutritional value and had a special ‘Olympic’ name. In the afternoon Mr Egan had organised a range of special learning programmes:- Year 7 staged their own Olympic sports trials,Year 8 had an Olympic debate and Year 9 produced a multi-media presentation on the Olympic Torch.Year 10 had their Welsh GCSE Examination. We would have liked to have seen George Ryley and Megan Jephcote from our school run with their Torches but George had been organised to run in Abergavenny and Megan had already carried her torch in Painswick. It was a once in a life time opportunity to see the Torch. We were all hoping that we would have been on the television as they filmed the Torch coming into Wales and our school. Sadly this was not the case but we will still have the memories and we can say that we were there to our children and grandchildren.

MCS Reporter – A Hack

70 TheLeader Issue 8 - Summer 2012 Student Design & Technology Work

Will Watkins

Luke Richards Kieron Brown

Miranda Swan

Tom Reason

Will Kemp Kyle Jones

Tom Lacey

Morgan Paley Tabitha Elmes Kiren Jingher

71 MCSMCS BoatBoat ClubClub 2011-20122011-2012 SeasonSeason