Summer term: Week 4 News 18th May 2018

A note from the Headmaster

This newsletter contains a report on the excellent Senior Play, performed last week by a cast of sixth form boys and girls. I would like to congratulate our actors on such an exciting and polished performance. You will also see a report below on our recent fixture at Glamorgan County Cricket Club. This provided a superb opportunity for our team to play on their test ground, and I am very grateful to the Glamorgan staff who offered us such excellent hospitality for the day. A number of parents have been hugely supportive in helping us to develop this partnership with Glamorgan, and I am also immensely grateful to them. Please can I also draw your attention to the FOMs Summer Party, as advertised below. This promises to be a very enjoyable occasion, and thank you to the FOMs parents for their work to prepare for the event, and for their work to support our school.

Top stories

SENIOR PLAY CAPTIVATES AS ‘ICARUS’ SISTER’ TAKES FLIGHT For two nights last week the drama studio was transformed into a tense and troubling crime scene, as the stage was set for the World Premiere of Icarus’ Sister, written by drama teacher, writer in residence and profes- sional playwright Mr Shakeshaft.

This taut crime thriller followed the story of missing teenager Claire Francis whose seemingly loyal group of friends turn against her under police ques- tioning. The race is then on to try and discover the truth of why a young girl would disappear and seemingly no-one, but her father, wants her to come home. The nine strong cast, of 6th form actors, delivered a mesmerising production with particular mention go- ing to Tobias and Millie for their com- manding performances as the warring detectives Frett and Venn.

Well done to the whole cast and thank you for such a professional and stunning performance. CRICKETERS FLOURISH IN EXCITING NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH GLAMORGAN Students from Monmouth School for Boys enjoyed an unforgettable day at Sophia Gardens in as part of an exciting new cricket partnership with Glamorgan.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Hugh Morris, described Monmouth as the ‘premier cricket school in ’.

As part of the school’s new link with Glamorgan, Monmouth’s cricketers will have the chance to play matches at the venue which has hosted Ashes Tests and international matches.

Monmouth School for Boys’ Under-15s met Wales Under-14s at the outstanding ground on Tuesday and put in a fine display before losing by five in the final over. “We are very keen to work a lot closer with a lot of our educational institutions in Wales,” explained Mr Hugh Morris. “Monmouth is one of the top independent schools in Wales and the premier cricket school in Wales and it makes a lot of sense that we work more collaboratively.”

The new arrangement stemmed from a meeting between Mr Morris; Headteacher Dr Andrew Daniel; Master in Charge of Cricket, Mr An- drew Jones; Old Monmothian Mr Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England batsman; and Mr Jeff Bird.

Mr Morris added: “We felt it would be nice to work closer together and one of the ideas we had was for Monmouth School for Boys to play a game at Sophia Gardens. “We are not envisaging this to be a one-off. It was a great experience for schoolboys to play at a Test match ground and on a pitch which the day before was used for a first- class game. We’re a professional cricket organisation and we want the best squad we possibly can. We are always on the look-out to identify, nurture and develop talent.” OMs Roger Clitheroe, Mike Kear and Steve James In the match itself, Joe top-scored with 51 and put on an 81-run opening partnership with Michael (45) as Monmouth posted a competitive 213-6 from 40 overs. The hard-hitting Josh (39), Harry (36) and Charlie (12 ) also made excellent contributions with the bat. In reply Monmouth School for Boys’ pupils Hugo (41) and Harry (24) batted very well for Wales. Despite good bowling from Middle- cote (2-23 from eight overs) and Sam (1-54) , Wales steered themselves to the target with just three balls remaining.

Captain and wicketkeeper, Joe said: “It was amazing to play at Glamorgan and a great opportunity. It was a shame that we couldn’t quite pull off the win. We loved the day and will remember the occasion for a very long time.”

Mr Steve James said: “Joe, Michael and Harry batted very well for Monmouth and Hugo batted very well for Wales. “It was a massive day for the boys to play at a Test match ground. I remember when I was at school and we played a match at the Coun- ty Ground in Taunton against Millfield School. It was a big day in my cricketing past.” He added: “Glamorgan and Monmouth School for Boys are two places very close to my heart so I was very keen to help out. “Hopefully, playing at Glamorgan will become an annual event for the school and many other things will also come out of this new partnership.”

MONMOUTH FOOTBALL KITS SENT TO AFRICA BY LOCAL CHARITY A Monmouth based charity called ‘Hands Around The World’ will be sending six sets of old Monmouth Boys football team kit (modelled, left, by our current Form V students) to schools in Zambia .

Mr Tamplin, Master in charge of Foot- ball, kindly donated the bags of kit that were worn by Monmouth School for Boys football teams in previous years. Hope- fully they will have a new lease of life in Africa!! OTTO MACIAG EXHIBITION IN MONMOUTH

NEPAL BECKONS FOR BOYS PRACTISING IN THE BEACONS 13 boys plus staff took part in a training walk in the Pon- tneddfechan Waterfalls area of the Brecon Beacons National Park recently, in preparation for their expedition to Nepal in the summer.

The team worked well together and boys were able to enjoy some spectacular scenery.

Well done boys and good luck in the slightly warmer climate of Nepal!

Come along and enjoy a lovely night out. Last year’s event was a huge success with wonderful food and good music. All welcome…parents, teachers, friends and family from the Habs Monmouth Group of Schools! Tickets available from Fiona Powell : E-Mail: [email protected] or Phone 07815 151285 COMING UP AT THE BLAKE THEATRE: Live on stage: 19 May Cordydd Choir – 7:30pm

Multiple Winners ‘National Eisteddfod of Wales’, Mixed Choir Winners’ Côr Cymru 2017.

With special guests; Gwawr Edwards – who has performed in a soprano role at Glyndebourne Festival, Charlotte Poulter, professional Harpist based in Trellech, Monmouth and Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.

Tickets: Adults £16, Under 16 £8 CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT

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Calendar Dates:

Selected Form I & II: Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry 2018 (Cardiff University) Depart 8.30am, return 4.15pm Fri 18 May School Committee (MG) Cricket: U14A v. Cardiff & The Vale (H) 2pm Boarders’ Activity: 6.30pm Cinema (Newport) Cricket: v King’s School, Worcester: 1st XI (A) Depart 9am Sat 19 May U15A, U13A & B (A) Depart 12noon 2nd XI, U14A & B, U12A & B (H) 2pm 9.15am Chapel Choir rehearsal (Chapel) 10.15am Chapel: Confirmation with Communion: The Bishop of Sun 20 May Monmouth, Chapel Choir (Chapel, New, School, Weirhead, MG School and Twiston Davies) Boarders’ Activity: 1pm Pedalabikeaway (Forest of Dean) 8.40am Form VI.2 and Year 13 Haberdashers’ Deputation Leavers’ Bible Presentation (School Chapel) Mon 21 May Form II RS trip to Churches in Monmouth Depart 9am, return 12noon Cricket: v The Cathedral School, Llandaff: U14A (H) 2.30pm U15A (A) Depart 2pm (T20) 4.15pm Joint MB and MG Sixth Form talk from the Bank of England (MG - Room 120) Tue 22 May Canoeing Club: Cardiff Indoor White-Water Centre. Depart 4.15pm, return 8.15pm 8pm Boarders’ Multi-Activity: Form III/Year 9 (MG) CCF: RAF Air Experience Flying (St Athan) Depart 6.30am, return 5.30pm Wed 23 May 4pm Music Examination accompaniment session (Music School) Cricket: U13 v. Wales U12 (H) 2pm Last day for Form VI.2 Lessons at MG and MB Thu 24 May 1.50pm - 2.30pm Junior History Trial of the British Empire (Shire Hall Courtroom) Tennis: v. Dean Close: 1st & 2nd VI (H – MG) 2pm