Issue 13 • Summer 2017 e h
T Leader Learning to Lead our Lives
The Leader cellebrates the achiievements and experiiences of our students and chroniiclles the lliife of the schooll The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Art
Paige Heaven
Epiphany Morgan
Annabel Birchall Hannah Hough
Charlotte Berrow Becky Embling Gruffudd Drury
Hannah Nugent
Ellie Wise Charlotte Bicknell Sally West
Annie Tattersdill Kate Salamon Chloe Barrett
2 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Welcome Contents 2 Student Art Mr Alderton’s words resonate today, 3 Back to the Future 40 years later. We are thinking about 3 Editorial a year from now when our new 4 A Year in the Life... school will be nearly ready and we 6 Head Girl and Boy will be preparing to move. There will 7 Student Art be changes and, as Mr Alderton 8 Sporting Round-up says, change is life. 19 Student Art 20 MFL Roundup There are, however, constants, our 25 Duke of Edinburgh Awards school magazine and the wonderful 26 Confidence (and Voices) Soar! talents, skills and achievements of 27 D of E Gold Award our students continue to impress 27 Catching Up and excel across many fields, from 28 World Challenge Mongolia theatre, sports, music, drama, dance 35 Student Design & Technology Work and art to academic success and 36 MCS Eisteddfod entrepreneurial endeavour. We are, Jeffrey Alderton, the Headteacher of 37 Rydw i’n dwli ar Llangrannog! and will remain, a comprehensive Monmouth Comprehensive School 38 Let Them Eat Cake school, providing the opportunity for said, in the school ‘Celebration 39 Enduring Voices every child to shine. Our new school Magazine’, way back in 1977 40 Art Round Up building will make sure the beacon “Nobody knows what the next 10 41 News from our Geography Department of MCS shines brightly. 42 News from the English Faculty years or the next 25 years will bring. 43 Youth Speaks We only know that there will be Vaughan Davies 43 Sound Training change and that change is life”. Headteacher 2017 44 Totally Talented 44 Memories are Made of This 45 The Power of Reading in Learning 46 Rowing Update 52 Another year on Editorial 53 Student Design & Technology Work 54 Summer Learning Thank you Mr Davies, room for more 56 Science Update than my 37 words last year! 57 Engineering Project Welcome to the Leader 2017, full of 58 Bonjour Mickey exciting trips (musicians to New York, 60 Dobrý den water polo player to the Czech 61 Vocational Learning Republic), trophies won (including 62 Charity Matters Best Turned Out Cadet, Champion 64 Real Madrid Football Tour Beef Young Handler, Young MTB Bike 68 New York, New York…. Rider of the Year), numerous martial 69 Chartwells art belts awarded and lots of money 70 Italy Ski Trip 72 Music at MCS raised by students for a variety of 75 Drama at MCS charities. It has certainly been a year next year, please don’t hesitate to 76 Der Grüffelo to remember! contact me at the school - new support always welcome. 77 The Friends Association A big thank you must go to all our 78 Out of School Achievements So, cup of coffee in hand, sit in the sponsors, old and new, whose 86 Phoenix from the Ashes garden (weather permitting) and adverts make it possible to send this 87 Student Design & Technology Work magazine home, free of charge. If enjoy the exploits of our students. School Photography by Des Pugh, you would like to place an advert Wendy Baker, Editor Official School Photographer Apologies for any errors and omissions in this publication. 3 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 A Year in the Life... Well, here we are again, 12 months In October, a group of our students literally scaled the older but possibly no wiser! heights at the Skills Cymru Careers Event in Cardiff, scampering to the top of the climbing wall - not one for the We had a wonderful Summer Showcase where Drama faint-hearted! students performed a tremendously moving piece, A Tribute to Aberfan - marking the 50th anniversary of the disaster. Sixth Form students had a whirlwind trip to Lille - there and Our guest, The Mayor then asked for this piece to be back in 24 hours - well done Miss Wilcox, not a single one performed at the Savoy Theatre in October as part of the left behind in the rush! See page 22. Mayor’s Showcase. Two students from the Drama group We celebrated also performed a delightful item - The Return of the Great Christmas (only Houdini. on the last day, The Literary Festival was, once again, a success and students though!), with were delighted to meet, and listen to, Michael Morpurgo at our Sixth Form The Savoy in Monmouth. It was great to see the pop-up (elves) serving poetry sessions take place around the town - a firm favourite. lunch to the See page 39. younger students with our older One lucky family won the Ipad in the MCSFA Summer students wolfing Raffle, a fundraising event which raised over £800 - a big down Christmas thank you to those who bought raffle tickets. baguettes. Y7 students spent a wonderful day at the Cardiff Museum and Art Gallery to view the Quentin Blake ‘Inside Stories’ Exhibition. By the time the term ended, everyone was firmly ensconced in their new classes/offices in the T Block. Students received their exam results in August. Great results all round - well done to everyone. Before we could take a breath, we were back in School for the start of the Autumn term and building up to Awards’ Evening where it was wonderful to see former student, Roddy Thomson, present the prizes and give a memorable speech, reminiscing about his time at MCS and encouraging students to work hard and reach for the stars.
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The Ski Squad had a wonderful time, judging by the tweets zinging through the atmosphere. I’m sure you spotted all the On June 12, our lovely Miss Snook, Faculty Leader of MFL, re-tweets on the website - a picture definitely paints a attended the German Embassy in London where she thousand words. More pictures to be found on page 70. received one of the German Teaching Awards 2017 from Sporting students have had a tremendous year, both in and German Ambassador, Dr Peter Ammon. The purpose of the out of school, as you will see from the Sporting Roundup Award is to recognise outstanding achievements by (page 8 to 18) and from the Out of School Activities (page individual teachers of German in primary and secondary 78 to 85). They really are a talented bunch! schools in the UK, to highlight and pay tribute to the work of Students from school travelled the world, from New York German teachers in the UK. We are delighted that Miss (our musicians - page 68) to the Czech Republic (our water Snook’s hard work and dynamic enthusiasm has been polo player - page 60) - you never knew where they might recognised in this way – quite possibly she was speechless – pop up next around the globe. on second thoughts, probably not!! Miss Snook was also quite excited to meet key speaker, John le Carré, as the The life-changing World Challenge trip to Mongolia (page picture shows. 28) experienced by our Sixth Formers gave them memories they will treasure for the rest of their lives and shows how And finally….. we have a new favourite who visits the school freely our students give of their time to make a difference to every week - Frank Furter - a lovely little dachshund who we someone else’s life. are tempted to keep!! Monmouth’s Got Talent was super-successful for our students this year with Ella Young, singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and Annie Porter, singing “ Only On My Own” (from Les Mis.) coming joint first. They were incredible! Our Y13 students bade farewell to MCS, dressed first in their hoodies then in their gladrags at the official function. A group of our students play for the Monmouth Town U14 football team and represented the Club in a national competition run by the FAW, in conjunction with The Champions League Final which took place in Cardiff in June. The team, including Callum Wood, Hywel Williams, Johnny Dunkley, Reuben Sutton, Harry Johnson, Hayden Morris and Emyr Pullen, reached the Final, playing Mynydd Isa FC from North Wales on the purpose-built floating pitch at Cardiff Bay. Some brilliant play by the Monmouth Town team saw them crowned Champions League Festival Winners. As a reward to both teams for reaching the Final, the FAW gave the teams complimentary tickets to the Women’s Champions League Final. Well done boys.
5 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Head Girl and Boy
As the year went on, the speeches and events just rattled by and started to become an easier part of the role. From Awards Evening to attending Joint Council meetings with HMSG and Monmouth School Council members, there was always something to do. It was great fun meeting the Head Boy and Girl teams from Monmouth School and HSMG and this made our last minute panic of organising In November, Emily and I were honoured Monmouth’s Got Talent Show that much to represent the school at the easier. After a couple of stressful and busy Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph meetings we were able to put on an in St James’ Square. entertaining showcase of talent from the A highlight of the year was the Y7/8/9 three schools, whilst raising a staggering Eisteddfod. Deputy Head Girl Lorelei and I I can’t believe a year has passed since I £2,000 for our chosen charity, Barnardo’s. gave my presentation explaining why I were delighted to be asked to be on the I can hardly believe my time as Head Girl would like to be Head Girl at MCS. I can judging panel for a day of amazing has come to an end. It was sad to honestly say it’s been the quickest year of performances. It was astounding to interview the new applicants for the my life, it’s been a whirlwind, but I have witness the wealth of talent at MCS. 2017/2018 Head Boy and Girl team as this loved every minute. Like every team before us, our pinnacle was meant it was time to hand over the combining forces with the Monmouth The first event on the calendar was to challenge to someone else. This gave me celebrate the success of the outgoing Y13, School and HMSG Head Boy/Head Girl the opportunity to reflect on what an teams to organise Monmouth’s Got Talent. as they left the school to start their amazing time I have had in the role, from adventure into university or work. We We tried to make the night a truly pulling together for Monmouth’s Got theatrical one, with Joe’s fantastic opener served them canapés and drinks, whilst Talent, to attending the Monmouth listening to their stories and the emotional and a broad array of talent on display - Chairman’s Dinner and the huge amounts from a boy wonder with a Rubik’s cube to speeches from the Head Boy and Girl team of laughs I’ve had along the way with we were taking over from. Hearing the some fantastic singing from the students. Mr Davies and my team. I can honestly say The best part of the night, however, was Head Girl’s speech filled me with excitement that the school is in safe and good hands for the challenges that lay ahead. the final announcement that we had with the new team we have picked. My collectively managed to raise a significant I was so lucky to have Nick, Lolli and advice to them is to savour every moment amount for the children’s charity George beside me every step of the way as of the role as it was the best experience I Barnardo’s - a brilliant achievement for a part of the Head Boy and Girl team. They had during my time at school. local talent show. made the role so much easier and The end of the year loomed and the Sixth enjoyable, as we were all finding our feet Emily James Form experience became a more difficult together. Writing our first speech was a one for us all. The stress of examinations, memory I won’t forget. We all came It is safe to say that this year has been more the prospect of actually becoming a together to give each other help and advice eventful and illustrious than any year responsible adult - this was not an easy because, quite frankly, the most public before. It is difficult to summarise a whole time! It must be said that throughout it all, speaking any of us had ever done was year within one article, to squeeze all of the Social Secretaries ploughed on. Their presentations in class. Therefore, the thought the moments into one short page so I shall planning of essential Sixth Form events - of doing a speech in front of an audience begin with the first speeches that the the Ball and Year 13 Leavers’ Reception - of over 100 people seemed quite a Prefect Team (Emily James, Lorelei Boston, was a master class in composure and grace. daunting task. My team was there right George Rees and I) made at the start of the I do not know of four other people who beside me the whole way, helping me year, at the Y6 New Entrants’ Evening. could so well balance study, school duties combat my nerves, right up until we left Whilst dealing with natural levels of anxiety, and everything else they were responsible the stage after the speeches, and I cannot our first addresses to the wider school for as they did. Well done Olivia, Millie, thank them enough for the support they gave community were, we hope, successful. Louis and Milo - your work was excellent me that night and throughout the year. Once we had made our way through the and you will not be forgotten. My first official task, with Nick, was to minefield of our first public speaking event, I now understand, more clearly than ever appoint the new prefect team who would we worked together like a well-oiled before, that the Sixth Form students here help us in our many events throughout the machine to assist with other school events at MCS are, quite frankly, fantastic. They year. Mr Davies gave us really good advice including Open Evenings and the Y6 are a true testament to the parents and and helped us pick and manage the largest taster days. However, I must admit the staff who have supported them, and I will prefect team the school had seen. But team were at their best when we had the find nothing more difficult than leaving them what a team it was! Having such a large pleasure of serving Christmas lunch to the and moving into the wider world. I have no pool of talent meant we always had people lower half of the school, turning from doubt that they will all do brilliantly, and I volunteering, whether it was dressing up more of a machine into a bustling band of cannot wait to return to the new school as Christmas characters for the school elves, spreading pure joy (and extra gravy) and meet up with everyone again. Christmas meal or standing out in the cold whilst humming along to the greatest and rain welcoming guests to our school. Christmas classics! Nicholas Eaton
6 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Art
Chloe Berry Callum Roberts
Cyd Rawlins
Ruth Leslie Lauren Isaacs
Leah Bliss Kelly Kwok
Joe Buckland Emily Dalrymple
Beth Tudball Jaisy Davies
7 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Sporting Round-up
Year 9 The Y9 Netball team have made strides of improvement this season but unfortunately lost their penultimate game to Gwynllw, which will not see them go any further in the competitive league this year, but lots to work on in preparation for next season.
Netball Year 7 Y7 made a super start to MCS netball Y10 Player of the Year: Cerys Hughes this year. They have lost only one of their games all season, against a very strong Most Improved: Sophie Pope Caerleon squad. They have gone from Well done to our Key Stage 5 Netballers: strength to strength and we are very The Sixth Form Netball team placed excited to follow their progress at MCS. second in the South East Wales Clubs Y9 Player of the Year: Rhiannon Alexander U17 tournament and achieved third in and Tianna Smith the Sixth/College area competition. Most Improved: Alice Gandy Netball Selection news Year 10 We are also very proud of the number Y10 have had their most successful year of players that have been selected into yet and are convincing winners of their the South East Wales Netball hub ( Emily league and will also go on to represent Bevan, Jessica Buffrey, Anwen Davies, and MCS in the next stage of the league. Cara Natt - Y7, Rhea Jenkins, Kazuri Y7 Player of the Year: Emily Bevan They have played with confidence and Lewis, Molly Morgan, Katie Scourfield, maturity. Most Improved: Jessica Buffery and Miah Natt - Y8. Tianna Smith - Y9, Serena Natt and Cerys Hughes - Y10 ). Year 8 Our Y8 girls performed exceptionally in Reporting on even more success, Y8 Netball this season, and, as a result, five are currently league winners and will have been selected to join the South go forward hoping to maintain their East Wales Development team. Only unbeaten run this year. Stand out 28 girls have been selected from almost performances have been demonstrated 300 girls in the South East Wales area. by Grace Lingwood and Katie Scourfield. Congratulations to Rhea Jenkins, Tillie Westwood, Miah Natt, Grace Y8 Player of the Year: Rhea Jenkins. Lingwood and Kazuri Lewis . Most Improved: Miah Natt
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Boys Football one culminated in a Gwent Cup Final at Cwmbran Stadium against Croesyceiliog Played: fifteen and a Newport Schools Cup Final at Won: nine Risca United against Bassaleg. Lost: four Drawn: two The Gwent Cup Final started with Croesy taking an early lead before Y7 Player of the Year: Joel Morse, top scorer Joseph Keeping equalised with a well with nine goals worked goal after good work from Most Improved Player: Sam Porter Jake Bevan. In a balanced match which Captain: Joe Keeping saw the strength, height, pace and power of Croesy pitted against the smaller more technical and tactically aware players of MCS, Croesy raced into a 3-1 lead in the second half which they held until ten minutes from time. Good passing play through central areas by Ben Scotford and Lewis Lloyd led to a Football mix up in the Croesy defence and Girls Football Alfie George lobbed the goalkeeper from 30 yards out. With the game Played: five heading into the dying moments Won: four Monmouth continued to push for the Lost: one equaliser. When a corner was awarded to Player of the Year: Bethan Keane There have been superb numbers for Y7 Monmouth in injury time, MCS threw Most Improved Player: Maisy Drew this year with 51 students representing everyone forward including outstanding Captain: Charlie Willetts MCS and 66 students attending goalkeeper Luca Smith. Luca’s presence training. and the weight of pressure told as a George Merritt corner, beautifully Y7 have made it through to the semi- delivered, was volleyed home at the back final of the Newport Cup and lost to a post by Sam Berry. At 3-3 the final very strong Caerleon side in the Area whistle was blown immediately, the Final of the Welsh Cup. equaliser was the last kick of the match and we would go to penalties. At this point, MCS excelled with cool, calm and technically accurate penalties from Jake Bevan, Alfie George and Joseph Keeping allowing hero Luca Smith to save three penalties and Monmouth to be crowned Gwent Champions. The competition starts in Y8 and this Another successful year saw the girls team had won it at their first attempt become Newport County Area Girls over all the schools across Newport, Champions, going on to represent Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Newport County in the Regional Finals Year 8 Gwent and Caerphilly counties, a where they finished third. The team also MCS Y8 Football team have gone one fantastic and well deserved achievement reached the last 16 of the Welsh Cup, further than last season in a fantastic by a special group of players. losing to a strong Blackwood side. season. In Y7, the team won the Newport Schools Cup competition and the team have retained their title in their second year whilst adding the Gwent Cup to their trophy collection. A season that has seen the team win 12 matches and lose
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convincingly win 5- beaten Llanwern, Newport High, 1 to progress to the Chepstow, St John’s Aberdare, Olchfa last 16. Up next was Swansea, Cymer Rhondda and Ysgol free scoring Fitzalan, John Bright in an unforgettable Cup run. a team Y9 had never Monmouth started the Final well and played before. The were the better side for most of the first step up in class was half. They were cheered on superbly by a evident and Fitzalan large number of friends and family who were too strong had made the long journey to Oswestry for MCS and we to watch the final. However, the school crashed out of the from Llandudno were first to score just Welsh Cup at the before half time to take a 1-0 lead into last 16 stage after a half time. MCS came out for the second 3-0 loss. half very focused and continued to play It was onto the Newport Schools Final a In 13 games this season, Y9 won nine the better football. Ben Hopkins struck week later and this became an exhibition games in total, losing four. They scored the woodwork with a long range effort of excellent football as Monmouth 43 goals in the process, conceding 22. before scoring a brilliantly worked free dominated with an 8-0 win over Bassaleg. Johnny Dunckley finished top goal kick to bring Monmouth level at 1-1. Jack Bufton and George Handley scorer with 17 goals. John becomes the Despite both teams hitting the controlled the bigger, more athletic, first player in this squad to surpass 50 woodwork in the last ten minutes, attackers of Bassaleg very well and MCS goals. He is now up to 55 goals in Ben Hopkins striking the post with a started off many attacking patterns 50 games. Well done John. header and Dan Keane saving superbly by passing out from the back. Finishing in the top 16 in Wales this and tipping the ball onto the bar, the George Merritt and Jack Meredith both season was a great achievement but next score remained level and the Final would made excellent runs down the flanks and season Y9 will be determined to get Cup be decided by a penalty shootout. helped create some of the four goals for success and will look to retain the Monmouth, now very experienced at Joseph Keeping, three goals for returning Gwent Cup. Good luck for penalty shootouts scored all their Alfie George and Ben Scotford’s effort next year boys. penalties and with their opponents which rounded off an outstanding missing the target on two occasions went performance and season for MCS Y8. Year 10 on to win the penalty shootout 4-1, make Year 8 Squad: Luca Smith, George Played: fifteen history and win the Welsh Cup. Ben Merritt, George Handley, Jack Bufton, Won: fourteen Drinkhall once again stepped up to score Jack Meredith, Alex Wakerley, Joshua Lost: one the winning penalty. MoM for the Final was Frank Pemberton with an exceptional Paddock, Lewis Lloyd, Jake Bevan, Player of the Year: Ben Hopkins, top performance in the heart of midfield. Ben Scotford, Cameron Francis, Derry scorer with 15 goals Baker, Nathaniel Johnson, Alfie George, PE teacher Mr Owen described his Most Improved Player: Tom Henstridge Sam Berry, Tommy Tynan, Cameron side’s achievement in winning the Turner, Joseph Keeping (Y7). Captain: Daniel Keane Welsh Cup as “simply outstanding” and MCS Year 10 Football “thoroughly deserved”. He said, “The Year 9 boys have done superbly to win the After such an impressive season last Team make history Welsh Cup and I am proud of every year, winning the Gwent Cup and with Welsh Cup single member of our squad. Every getting to the quarter finals of the Welsh player has worked incredibly hard Cup, Y9 were expecting more cup success Victory! during a tough Cup run and I couldn’t this year. Having won the Newport Cup think of a more deserving group of boys in Y7 and narrowly losing in the semi- to achieve what they have in this Welsh finals last season, MCS were targeting Cup experience. We, as a school, are this cup as a must win. Unfortunately, it extremely proud of them”. wasn’t to be as they lost 4-3 to John Frost Mr Owen added “A massive thank you in the quarter finals stage. With no Gwent to everyone who has supported us along Cup in Y9, it was all on the Welsh Cup now. the way and to Rockfield Property After easing into the last 32 of the Welsh Services for sponsoring our match day Cup after 6-1 and 3-0 wins against kits”. Cwmbran and St Julian’s respectively, MCS Y10s winning squad: Daniel MCS were up against West Mon in the Keane, Ryan Davies, Ben Drinkhall, first round of the Regional Finals. After Sam Williams, Tom Henstridge, Fin Thorp, losing 6-1 to West Mon in a friendly Our Y10 football side have won the Matt Jones, Frank Pemberton, Chris Hilton, last season, MCS knew they were up Welsh Cup for the first time in the Ben Hopkins, James Greaney, Daniel against a tough team. However, MCS School’s history after beating Ysgol John Brain, Oakley Westcott, Sam Cooke, Jacob put in a superb performance to Bright on penalties. MCS Y10 have Perrella, Callum Wood and Theo Haycocke.
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Y10 completed their successful season Schools honours next year) alongside by lifting the Newport Schools Cup with two goals for skipper Jordan Heales, two Futsal a hard fought win over Caerleon in the more for top goal scorer for the season After winning the U16 Gwent Futsal Final. Christopher Hilton scored the George Rees and one goal for Cup, our Year 10 and 11 Futsal squad winning goal three minutes from time. Derry Bergum-Palama in the rout. The went on to represent Newport County team played outstanding passing football AFC at the Kinder+ Sport U16 The Golden Generation on the 3G surface which lent itself to Futsal Cup Regional Finals in play their last game Monmouth’s passing style of play. Swindon. Despite convincing wins over Larsson Brown was outstanding in Southampton and Portsmouth, a loss to Kieran Knight, Matthew Macklin and the first half at winning the ball back Swindon Town in the group stage meant Jordan Heales have been part of an MCS for Monmouth, with Kieran Knight that the MCS boys finished runners-up football team that won the Newport dominant in defence and Matthew in the group; the result a tough semi- Schools Cup every year since they Macklin orchestrating play from final draw against tournament favourites entered the school in Y7. They also won midfield. The pace, power and skill of Bristol Rovers. As underdogs, the MCS the Gwent Schools Cup in Years 8 and Atkinson, Rees and Heales are a handful boys upped their game in the semi-final 10 (which only runs for Y8, 10 and Sixth for any school team and on this day they and battled to a 4-3 win. They then went Form teams) before now adding the were unplayable with Atkinson scoring on to beat South Wales rivals Cardiff senior title to complete their collection of one goal where he dribbled past five City 3-2 in the final and secure the winners’ medals. opposition players before slotting past Regional Cup. This season the Senior football XI were the goalkeeper. very successful, resulting in a Welsh Cup The team received high praise from last 16 appearance losing narrowly at the football scouts and Football Treorchy Comprehensive School with a Association members for an outstanding depleted team, in addition to reaching performance on the day. the Gwent and Newport Schools Finals. The re-match in the Newport Schools The luck of the draw meant that the two Final was played on a very different most successful teams of the past decade heavy grass surface at Risca AFC where were paired to face off in both heavy rain had made the pitch more competitions with MCS set to play difficult for Monmouth to get their Coleg Gwent Crosskeys. Coleg Gwent passing game going. Crosskeys came Crosskeys offers the Sixth Form into the game with revenge on their provision for Islwyn High School, mind and produced a physically Blackwood, Newbridge, Cwmcarn and dominant performance that prevented Risca Comprehensive Schools, plus Monmouth playing the football that they having a huge intake of students from produced the week before and Crosskeys Newport, so the sheer number of players ran out deserved 4-2 winners despite a they have to pick from make them a MoM performance from goalkeeper formidable opposition for any school in Josh Ellis and goals from Larsson Brown U16 Futsal Squad: South East Wales. and that man, George Rees. Top row L to R: Kyron Smith, Despite losing to the Sean Swann, Josh Ellis, Frank Pemberton, better team on the Finley Thorp; day it was a very Bottom Row L to R: Larsson Brown, successful season Greg Powell, Jordan Suttie, Ben Hopkins. and the team’s As a result, they qualified for the performance in the National finals in Derby with the best Gwent Cup Final eight teams from England. The step up will live long in the in intensity was huge at the National memory of all that Finals and the level of competition was were there, such was extremely high. MCS representing the level of technical Newport County AFC were in a group ability and passing with Wycombe Wanderers, Crawley football on display. Town and Burton Albion. Our boys Senior Squad: Joshua Ellis, Nathan made a great start with a 0-0 draw The Gwent Cup Final at Cwmbran Hawkins, Bailey Grant, Kieran Knight, against group favourites Wycombe Stadium saw MCS play their best Henry Williams, Joshua Jones, Sean Wanderers. Another close second group football of the season by far. A Swann Mcbride, Tom Walker, Matthew game against Crawley Town looked to be masterclass performance saw the team Macklin, Larsson Brown, Greg Powell, heading to a 0-0 draw but a late goal demolish Crosskeys 7-2. There were two Derry Bergum-Palama, George Rees, Louis resulted in a 1-0 loss for MCS. To have a goals for star man Robbie Atkinson Macfarlane, Jordan Heales, Robert Atkinson, chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, (whose performance resulted in an Michael Ridgeway, Henry Damon. MCS had to beat Crawley Town by a invitation to trial for international Welsh two goal margin. After a bright start and
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Rugby Year 10 Played: eleven Year 9 Won: six Y9 have had a great season led by Lost: five captain Morgan Wainewright, winning Player of the Year: Archie Hayward, 14 of 19 games and only losing five. top scorer with six tries They scored 87 tries in total with 17 Most Improved Player: tries coming from top try scorer Owen Bishop Jamie Strachan. 530 points were scored Captain: Cameron Ogilvie in total, 251 points conceded. 30 players Y10 were unlucky to lose 20-17 in this MCS Futsal Boys at Derby Arena represented the Y9 team this year. year’s Tri Counties final against JKHS for National Finals This was the first year of Welsh Cup but have showed a lot of improvement this a goal from Finley Thorpe, Crawley soon rugby and MCS had to finish in the season with a number of positive results. equalised which meant MCS had to top four schools from Newport push everyone forward to try and win and Pontypool to qualify for the last 32 the game. With no luck in the final third, in Wales. After impressive victories Crawley scored two late goals on the against Abersychan, St Joseph’s, break to finish the game 3-1. MCS Bassaleg and Gwynllyw, MCS finished bottom of the group but beat qualified for the last 32 of the Welsh Blackpool in the 7th/8th playoff. To Cup but had a tough draw against Caerleon, a team they had lost to twice last year. Rugby Sevens After a high tempo start and an early For the second year running, MCS ran score from Callum 16 team seven-a-side tournaments for Wood, MCS gave Y7, Y8 and Y9. After the success of our everything but tournaments last year, we again attracted Caerleon were too teams from across South Wales and the strong and they lost South West of England, with just under out 29-7. 200 players in each tournament. The tournaments were held at Chippenham As defending Tri- Fields and a big thank you must go to Counties Champions, our WRU rugby officer Craig Everett Y9 were also looking and Monmouth RFC for running and to defend that title. organising such great events. We look After thumping wins forward to hosting the tournament again against Newent, next year. John Kyrle and John Masefield, MCS With Newport County AFC mascot Spytty the dog were up against Dene Magna again in the Final. MCS finish 7th out of 92 Football League were convincingly beaten by Dene clubs from England and Wales is an Magna in the group stage 43-24, so Y9 amazing achievement that the boys knew they would have to be at the top of should be immensely proud of. their game to stand any chance of Well done lads. beating them. After a powerful run and try by Jamie Strachan, MCS were only 12-5 down at the half time and were playing superbly. Year 8 A Team The second half saw Dene Magna score two breakaway tries to win the game and the Tri-Counties title. The effort Y9 put in during that game was superb and the score line didn’t reflect how close the game was. If they play like that next year, they will have a great season. Good luck next season boys. Larsson Brown goal Year 8 B Team
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champions. In a tight game the score was The boys gave everything in the last 15 1-1 with five minutes to go, with Lewis minutes of play but a breakaway goal getting the goal. In the last few minutes from the Rydal side gave them the Rory carved open the defence and advantage. Rydal extended their scored his final goal of the tournament, advantage with five minutes to play to taking the final score to 2-1 and securing take the final score to 4-2. victory for the team. The Monmouth side consisted of: The U16 Team: Rory Calderwood, Cameron Pardington, Luke Rogers, Dan Mills, Lewis Stone, Freddie Oubridge Matthew Ford, Dan Mills, Matthew Brock, Archie Oubridge Brock, Luke Brown, Archie Oubridge Brock, Freddie Rogers, Matthew Brown, Matthew Ford, Oubridge Brock, Lewis Stone, Greg Powell, Year 7 A Team Greg Powell, Joe Draper-Stone, Cameron Rory Calderwood, Joseph Draper-Stone, Pardington, Jim Lovejoy, Rob Williams. Freddie Talbot.
Year 7 B Team Hockey Trampolining South Wales Boys Welsh Finals British Schools Hockey Tournament Having won the South Wales Tournament at Brecon, the U16 Boys squad headed Gymnastics Association The U16 Boys Hockey Team travelled to up to Newtown to play Ysgol Rydal, - Trampoline Christ College Brecon to compete in the winners of the North Wales Competition . South Wales Competition. The boys The first half was a close affair with Championships (Welsh played in a round robin tournament and Monmouth playing some excellent hockey . Region) 2016/2017 got off to a good start against Gwyr, winning 1-0 with a goal from On 20th November 2016, 14 students Rory Calderwood. The boys then from MCS competed in the Welsh replicated this result against a strong Schools Trampoline Championships Christ College Brecon team with Rory held at Cardiff Central Youth Club. 252 scoring the winning goal once again. competitors represented schools from Having settled into the tournament, across Wales. Monmouth then put on a display of In the Elite U14 Girls group, Y7’s some of the best hockey that they Halle Unsworth and Emily Bevan had a had played all day. Monmouth beat very difficult group but achieved scores Llanishen 3-0 with goals from Monmouth created a number of chances of 47.50 and 52.40 respectively. Emily Rory, Lewis Stone and Joe Draper-Stone. to take the lead and did so with a well missed out on 3rd place by 0.70. In the final match Monmouth had to worked goal from Rory Calderwood. Rose Jorgensen-Rideout competed in either draw or win to become the The boys fought hard to maintain the the Elite U19 Girls group against many lead until half-time with some Welsh Squad gymnasts. She scored a excellent saves from Cameron credible 45.50 to place 8th. Pardington in goal; however the In the Intermediate groups, U14’s were Rydal team overloaded their represented by Jessica Maylin - 5th with attack and managed to pull back a score of 44.65, Ellie Purdy-Baker - 7th an equalising goal just before with a score of 43.80, and Kaitlyn half-time. Monmouth came out Newman - 12th with a score of 42.35. determined after the break but They made up a team and achieved 1st conceded an early goal taking place. the score 2-1 to Rydal. This The U19’s team of Kirsty Maylin, spurred the boys on and after a Bethan Carlton and Zoe Lambert, passage of excellent play they scored 44.90, 43.40 and 43.00 respectively. managed to get the equaliser They also made a team and placed 2nd. from a second Calderwood goal.
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an injured Kaitlyn. The score for the team was 134.2 and they placed 6th ahead of Abbots Bromley School. Y7 student Jessica scored an impressive 48.20. Unfortunately the U19 team were unable to compete due to illness. Halle and Emily train with Freefallers Trampoline Club in Abertillery and the remainder belong to Monmouth Trampoline Club. All the gymnasts are very supportive of each other wherever In one of his first competitions, Joe Wyatt they train and this has contributed to the success of these MCS students. from Y8 was 4th out of 24 with a score In the same month, Kirsty was 3rd at of 41.17 in the Novice U14 Boys group. the Welsh Double-Mini Trampoline In the Novice U14 Girls group, Spring Championships in the Novice 2 Williams scored 42.17, Emily Salamon category, her first ever individual scored 41.73, Charlotte Wakerley scored placing. Jessica was 2nd in the same 39.93 and Tara Maitland scored 37.40. group. Jessica was also 3rd in the Welsh Together, the girls made a team and Trampoline Championship Novice achieved 3rd place, missing out on a Under 15 girls category. place in the next round by less than two In the NDP 2 Regional Team Qualifier points. competition in March, Jessica just With all the teams winning trophies for missed out on a chance to represent School, the two teams placed 1st and Wales at the Regional Team Finals by 0.3 It was lovely to see the PE teachers points. attending the competition. Thanks must go to Miss Biddle and the school for all The girls train alongside many other their support during training and the MCS students at Monmouth Trampoline competitions. The students are looking Club. forward to November 2017 when they Gymnastics can try again. Hopefully there will be even more students representing MCS. Iwan Scrivens, became the Welsh U12 Floor and Vault Champion. He won a Gold medal on the floor and a Silver on the vault. 2nd were able to compete in the next round of the competition, the Central Zonal Trampoline Competition. This was held at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock on 5th February 2017. All 1st and 2nd place teams and top three individuals in each group from Wales, West Midlands, East Midlands and Eastern regions compete against each other for a place in the 2017 National Kirsty & Jessica School Finals. The standard at the Zonal competition Maylin was very high. The Intermediate U14 It has been a very successful 2016/ Girls Jessica and Ellie drafted in Tara 2017 trampolining season for the who had competed at Novice, to replace Maylin sisters. Kirsty (Y10) and Jessica (Y7) have been on the podium 12 times between them as individuals, as part of a Synchro pair or as part of a Team. Some of their successes include the pair claiming 1st place for Synchronised Trampolining at the Welsh National Development Plan (NDP) Gradings Level 2 in February whilst Jessica had a Silver medal for the Individual event at the same competition.
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Welsh Schools Tumble Girls and Vault Finals The following students made it through Cricket the South Wales Tumble and Vault Our U13 girls cricket team Competition to represent the region at beat King Henry in the the Welsh Schools Competition. They Monmouthshire Final of were; Lily Brain, Lilli Edwards, Iwan the Lady Taverners’ Cup Scrivens and Joel Kohler-Hoon. to qualify for the South Wales finals at the SSE Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. Despite losses to Glantaf and Tasker Milward, the girls played some superb cricket in wins against Ysgol Bae Baglan and Abertillery securing a 5th place finish from the top 10 teams in South Wales. Well done girls!
Congratulations to Joel and Iwan who won Boys Team Silver and to Lily Brain who won Silver in the individual competition.
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Sky Sports Activities that were demonstrated: Living For Sport Project Students were delighted to meet Liz Johnson - Paralympic Gold Swimming Medallist - who visited the school as part of a project aimed at increasing girls participation in sport using the six keys Cross Country to success.
Year 7 Project Visit Hockey
Year 8 Project Visit Health, Fitness and Well Being
Rugby
GCSE PE Netball Practical Moderation 2017 Well done to all Y11 students who were involved in the practical moderation; performances and effort levels were to a very high standard. Football
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winning the April 2017 LIDL Director but their determination and support for Directors of of Football Award. one another resulted in 16 of the 33 Ben’s prize was a visit to the Wales open athletes qualifying for the County Football - training session at the Vale Resort on 9 June. Competition by finishing 1st or 2nd in their event. Lidl Play Y10 DOF: Matthew Jones, James Greaney Molly Williams, Scott Jackson, Naomi Year 7 Girls Roberts, Adam Morgan, Dan Kean, Ben Davies, Zea Levy - 100m More Football Finley Thorp, Amber Stamp-Dunstan. Tillie Westwood - Javelin, The Play More Football programme is a Katie McKeand - Discus new initiative designed by the Football Newport County Charlie Willets - 200m Association of Wales and Lidl to Alina Lashford - 800m maximise the appeal of the sport to AFC Literacy young people who don’t already play. It Year 7 Boys is about young people leading the game Project Jai Maddelena - Long Jump of football and developing their own Joseph Wayte - 100m approaches and creating new playing Mr Hancocke and Mr Jones are working Cameron Francis - Hurdles/High Jump opportunities in and around school. with ‘County in the Community’ on the development of a new literacy project Josh Pittaway - Discus based on Newport County AFC. They’re working on the development of Year 8 Girls a scheme of work and resources to Harriet Tidwell - Shot Put develop boys’ literacy levels at Key Stage Hannah Kolic - 200m/Discus 3. As part of this project, in March we welcomed the BBC and their Welsh Year 8 Boys Football Correspondent Rob Phillips, Reuben Sutton -1500m Newport County player Lenell John Robbie Mills - Javelin Lewis and former Wales International Freddie Talbort - Long Jump Nathan Blake. Our Y7 students developed Bailey Nash - Hurdles A group of Y10 students have become their literacy and oracy skills working on Callum Wood - Triple Jump Directors of Football at MCS and have match reports, podcasts and commentaries been heavily involved in creating with Rob, Lenell and Nathan. County Competition opportunities for young people to play. Facing further challenge as the best from So far, they have helped to run the We look forward to continuing our work each district came together to compete, Monmouth Cluster Football Festival for with Newport County and ‘County in this did not faze the MCS students as Y3 and Y4 whereby they helped to the Community’. Exciting times ahead. they gave it their all. officiate games and organise fixtures. A total of six schools attended the day with Six students excelled and came first in 110 pupils taking part. They have also their event, winning medals as they helped with the running of the after-school became South East Wales County football club and created opportunities Champions! for Y7 to play at break times. The DOF were also involved in leading and running inter-form football tournaments for the following year groups; Y7 - with a total of 40 games being played (96 goals scored), Y8 - 40 games (101 goals scored), Y9 - 40 games Athletics (119 goals scored). All Directors of Football provided opportunities for South East Wales these Year Groups to play competitive Athletics Minors - football based on a 5-a-side format. The events took place over three days with Summer 2016 County Champions, L-R: Year Groups playing in Form teams. As After weeks of training and practice at Jai Maddalena, Joseph Wayte, a team of Directors, they effectively Inter-form, Y7 and Y8 Monmouth Tillie Westwood, Zea Levy, carried out a range of roles from Comprehensive School students were Cameron Francis, Robbie Mills officiating to collecting results and well prepared for the South East District The 2017 athletics season started with organising fixtures. It was an excellent competition. The athletes were excited the District Schools Competition at three days, superbly run by all DOFs. and nervous but performed brilliantly. Spytty Park, Newport with Y8, Y9 and All the hard work and effort has paid off Students were up against stiff Y10. Of the 34 students who took part, for one of our Directors with Ben Davies competition from schools such as an impressive 23 of them came first or being recognised for his efforts and Croesyceiliog, St Julian’s and Caerleon second in their event and qualified for
17 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 the next round of County trials. This was Year 9 especially commendable as Y8 and Y10 students were competing against athletes Hannah Kolic - Shot 2nd a year older than them. Amelia Lane - Long jump 2nd Rosie Redwood - Discus 2nd Year 8 Robbie Mills - Javelin 2nd Reuben Sutton - 1500 2nd Joseph Wayte - 100m 1st/ Freddie Talbot - Long jump 1st/ Relay 1st 200m 1st/Relay 1st Callum Wood - Triple Jump 1st Tillie Westwood - Javelin 1st/ Finlay Stuart Gunter - Shot 2nd High jump 2nd/Relay 2nd Dan Jones - Hurdles 2nd/Relay 1st Will Lovejoy - 300m 1st/ 800m 1st/Relay 1st Year 10 Zea Levy - 300m 1st/ 100m 2nd/Relay 2nd Cameron Francis - High jump 2nd/ Relay 1st Charlie Willets - Relay 2nd warming up and preparing to compete Jacob Perella - 3000m 2nd Maddie Francis - Hurdles 2nd/ in their event. Relay 2nd Darcey Maguire - Discus 1st Sophie Pope - 100m 2nd/High jump 2nd Our students showed focus and determination Josie Harrison - Javelin 2nd in their own events and support for others Harriet Kearsey - 200m 2nd when they ran, jumped or threw in theirs. Bon Fox De Vere - 1500m 2nd The day concluded with fantastic results Alex Beddoes - Triple Jump 2nd - four students from MCS came 1st in On the day of the County Finals, their event and will now represent South approximately 30 secondary schools in East Wales in Regional Finals. the South East Wales Region came together Joseph Wayte - 200m with their talented athletes to compete Tillie Westwood - Javelin for a chance to represent the Region. Will Lovejoy - 800m It was a massive step up from the District Sophie Pope - Long Jump event with only the 1st place athletes Furthermore, three of the students who allowed to qualify for the next round. qualified are from Y8 and beat their Y9 Monmouth athletes started the day opponents.
A S C PHILLIPS 8, 12, 16 Seater Minibuses • 40 Seater Coach Quality at its best Private Hire, Airports, Weddings, etc CONTACT SIMON MOBILE 07568 076893 • PHONE/FAX 01600 860223 • [email protected]
18 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Art
Ruth Leslie
Samba Tack Liz Robinson
Bradley Smith
Elliott Kramer Kyron Smith
Elen Davies
Ellen Williams Liz Robinson
Elliott Kramer
Ffion Williams Jade Cox Emily Dalrymple
19 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 MFL Roundup library which we visited towards the end Fröhliche of the day. How, you may be thinking, is a library interesting? Well this one was Weihnachten magnificent. As we entered, each KS4 and A level German students member of our group gasped as we were fortunate to experience the caught sight of the magical lights Frankfurt Christmas Market in adorning row on row of every kind of Birmingham on a cold, sunny book you could imagine. Even if you Saturday in November. The visit was aren’t a bookworm, you wouldn’t be able the market, but it was too soon before also offered to other Y8 - Y13 to suppress the smile that crept onto the trip came to a close. students, as an opportunity to your face as you gazed around this experience cultural differences, in If you ever get the chance, I strongly spectacular place. addition to the shopping experiences reccommend giving the Birmingham As we reached the top though, another of the big city. Frankfurt Christmas Market a try. If this treat was in store for us. From the roof, trip doesn’t put you in the Christmas we could clearly see the gorgeous lights spirit, I don’t know what will! of the market glittering below us. We Lizzie Lane, 8AP couldn’t stop staring and snapping away with our phone cameras; we were Going to a German Christmas market is spellbound. You’d really have to go there not something you do every day so when for yourself if you want to feel the magic I had the chance to go to the one in we felt on that lovely November evening. Birmingham I definitely knew I wanted All I can say is; if you get the opportunity to go, as I had never been to one before. to come to the German Market this Some of my favourite parts were seeing Christmas, with or without school, take all of the stalls and things to buy at the This Christmas Market is now the it. It was honestly one of the most market and going to the Bull Ring, which largest outdoor Christmas Market in the magical and heart-warming days of my is a huge shopping centre. country and has run for the last 11 years. life and I am sure you will feel the same This provides students with an insight We also went to the library in way. Birmingham, and it looked beautiful! I into a German cultural tradition, whilst Keziah McCann, 8AP enjoying an exciting experience. You would definitely recommend going to may read the experiences of some of our the Christmas market if you get the chance, Y8 students below: as I had such an amazing experience! The Birmingham Christmas Market was Abigail Johnson, 8AP truly one of the best experiences of my How do I even begin to explain life! As soon as we stepped off the bus, Birmingham Christmas market? Well, it we were greeted with the sight of row was a frenzy of delicious German smells, upon row of festively decorated heart-warming hot drinks, and a lot, lot German-style wooden stalls and the jolly more. I loved rushing around the many sound of Christmas music playing. The stalls, gazing at the handcrafted mini pleasant aroma of cranberries was Santas, inhaling the amazing aroma of In the Autumn Term, students from drifting through the air from a nearby the mouth-watering pretzels, covered in Y8-13 were given the opportunity to go stall selling German drinks. All this really cinnamon and sugar and admiring the to the German Christmas Markets in made me feel that Christmas was on its knitted gifts, to name just a few of the Birmingham, with the students who are way! The most beautiful decorations, delights. I couldn’t tell you every part of studying German at MCS. When I toys, and accessories were available to the trip as that would take up at least the arrived, I was ecstatic with excitement. buy, and my bag was soon full to the whole page, but I will tell you one of the As we got closer I could see the little brim with my purchases! What’s more, highlights and no, it’s not when wooden sheds beginning to emerge. one of the stalls was selling the most Miss Wilcox joked that she would run off There were huts for everything - delicious doughnuts, which made the with our bags whilst we were on the German goodies, a chocolate stall, trip even better. Not to mention the carousel. (Of course, we don’t really crystals, accessories, I could go on. other food stalls, where we could buy know if she was joking!). gargantuan frankfurter hotdogs, hot As the Bullring Shopping Centre was chocolate, sweets and gingerbread. I My highlight of the trip began the nearby, we went Christmas shopping could have spent days walking around moment we stepped inside the huge there after lunch (at McDonalds!).
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I was glad that we visited the Christmas In addition to a visit to the castle and a Market in the morning and the Bullring day trip to Berlin, students also went to in the afternoon as when we came out the theatre in Celle Castle to see a (after many hours of getting lost) we performance of Dürrenmatt`s ‘Die emerged to find that the German Market Physiker’. “I understood a lot and it was was now heaving with people! Perfect quite funny”, said Matthew. Next year timing really, as we were just about to many of the students are studying this leave! play as part of their A level exam and If you are given the opportunity to go, I found seeing it performed very useful. really recommend it as it was a truly magical experience to get you in the spirit of Christmas and I would definitely go again. Molly Bradley, 8HF We went on a German study trip to Birmingham for the Frankfurt Christmas Market in November last year. When we arrived, we were allowed supported by an Instant Impact grant to split into groups to look around and, from UK-German Connection. possibly, buy something with the money The project was established to support a The students also visited Helhlentor we took. link between the schools and also for Primary School. “Our Sixth Form Tom, Josh and I wandered around to see students to develop an understanding students read ‘The Gruffalo’ in English what was in the wooden shops and about their lives as teenagers in Wales and German and helped children in the ended up buying chocolate covered and Germany. Students visited their lessons” said Miss Snook who organised marshmallows and going on the carousel Partner School, supported in a Primary this school partnership and the project several times. School and also had opportunity to ‘Our future in Europe’ together with For the second part of the day, we visit Berlin. Frau Susi Schult from the Oberschule. walked up and down the street, looking All the students were impressed by the The project is offered as one of a at the rest of the market and then went warm welcome they received, the number to promote links and is for a late lunch. We had to race back to architecture and the excellent food in supported financially by the UK- the bus for the journey home. Celle. “The buildings were lovely”, said German Connection. Matthew Peters, particularly impressed Harri Phillips, 8TG by the timber framed houses. “In Wales the buildings are quite modern.” Frankie Oberschule Crilly was not only impressed by the castle but also, schnitzel and bratwurst. Celle I “The visit has been very useful because we can chat in English and the Welsh students can chat in German too, to help us with our exams” says Rabiye Körmü from 10C.
Students from both schools attended a seminar in Berlin at the end of March to discuss more views on Europe, funded by the UK-German Connection. Jessica Fielding from 12EE gives a taste of events, below: Celle My time in Celle not only brought an incredible experience and total immersion in German culture, but also opened an extensive number of doors for me. The trip itself was very Sixth Form students studying German organised, yet relaxed, thanks to the visited the Oberschule Celle I during small group I went with. Every day February half-term, to take part in an brought a different activity, from exciting joint project exploring cultural wandering the Reichstag Dome in differences. This activity has been Berlin, to spending the day with German
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interesting to see the range of opinions from different areas of both countries. The general consensus was not about the implications of Brexit, but rather what could be done to unite the youth of Germany and UK. Education was a primary concern, and we discussed the urge for education on politics and the importance of languages, which we felt was not being fully achieved in the UK. The average number of languages spoken in the UK is just one; whilst in Over 80 wooden chalets gave students Germany it is two to three. an opportunity to explore the gifts, nativity figures and Christmas decorations and try the festive food with many students returning home with delicacies and delights. Le Château du teenagers with whom I am still in contact. We had the opportunity to visit Broutel 2016 various schools in Celle, from the Grundschule (primary school) to the On the first of July, I was one of the Y7 The seminar in Berlin was incredibly Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) students fortunate enough to be given interesting and I met people I will never which not only gave us total immersion the amazing opportunity of going to forget. Within the seminar, I was part of in the language, but also an authentic France on a school trip. We went on the a panel in a joint discussion in which I feel of the German school system. trip to encourage us to speak French discussed various questions regarding On a personal level, the trip gave me an the future of UK-German relations. insight into what I would truly like to Because of my involvement, I have also pursue in the future, and exemplified the been selected to attend a workshop in true importance of languages in our London with both current UK-German global society. Personally, my favourite participants as well as alumni, in order to aspect of the trip was spending the day create initiatives to encourage German in my new-found favourite city - Berlin. language learning. The atmosphere was unique; it would be From one school trip, the opportunities extremely difficult to be bored there! available to me have flourished - if you, as a student, have the opportunity to go on an MFL trip, I urge you to take the opportunity.
and, because we were in an environment where we had to speak French when we were doing our activities, we became more familiar with certain phrases and different language patterns. We all found the trip very beneficial and we all had a Gateways great time too! We went with six Since the trip was part funded by members of staff; Miss Snook - Head of the UK-German connection, an Lille opportunity arose for Emma Johnston A hectic 24 hours saw a group of MCS and I to visit Berlin for the weekend for students venture to Lille for the day to a fully-funded seminar about the future visit the Christmas Market. A wonderful of Europe following Brexit. day was had by all as the aroma of crêpes In preparation for this, we conducted a and Nutella gaufres scented the air and number of focus groups with the sound of French carols echoed Monmouth Comprehensive students around the square. ranging from Y9 to Y12. We then Lille itself was decked out in lights and presented our findings in Berlin to an colour and at Christmas Market time, audience of selected students from the whole town is covered in a huge Germany and the UK. It was incredibly crown of garlands.
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teachers! On the second day, after breakfast, we went first to the bakery where a ‘shouty’ baker showed us how to make croissants and taught us what the ingredients were in French. We were then shown how to mix and bake the dough. We ate our lunch then got back on the bus and went straight to the chocolate factory where we were given a
souvenirs so we would all have something to remember the amazing day by. That evening, back at the Château, we all sat on the grass, ready for our talent contest. Our three judges were Miss Page, Mr Bolt and Mr Le Boeuf and quite a few people entered the contest, including Miss Snook. It was great fun and we all really enjoyed it! demonstration on how to make chocolate. We were shown lots of different models made out of chocolate including cats and trains. We headed to the trip, Miss Parry - Deputy Head of the chocolate shop to buy some the trip, Miss Wilcox, Miss Page, chocolate for ourselves which was very Mr Bolt and Mr Le Boeuf. All of the tasty. Our final destination for the day staff had a great time too. With everyone was the snail farm where we had the getting involved and everyone having opportunity to hold live snails and then fun, it was a very enjoyable trip for all! We stayed in the beautiful little town of Rue, just a little way outside Paris at ‘Le The final day was one of the busiest and, Château du Broutel’. We stayed in the immediately after breakfast, we had to Normandy block where the rooms were load the bus ready to come back to the really nice and the beds were very UK. Once the bus was loaded up, we comfortable. The food was amazing at went back to the dining hall ready for the Château and the dining hall was so our walking tour around the local town, lovely and historical. Every morning our Rue. The staff at the Centre split us into lunches were packed and put on the bus groups and took us on a tour of the for us. We all enjoyed having warm incredible grounds and Château we had croissants for breakfast and the meals been staying in. We then walked to the were very good. historically beautiful and fascinating We spent the first day travelling but, town of Rue where we were shown despite the long journey, we were all so several buildings of interest, including an excited that it was really fun. We were all incredible church. We visited shops and singing and playing games, even the try them. I did like holding the snails but inspected local statues before meeting I didn’t like eating them, although I know up in a café where we stopped for a rest a lot of people loved them. The farm was before going to a French supermarket quite interesting. The next day was an and buying the last of our souvenirs. early start but we didn’t mind because Back at the Château we had lunch, we were off to Parc Astérix for the day. Parc Astérix is a theme park and we were given the chance to go off and explore - we went on many different rides and had lots of fun. My favourite ride was the huge log flume but my favourite part was winning a giant unicorn from one of the stalls. We got giant slushies and candy floss and finished off by buying souvenirs from one of many gift shops at the Parc. We also kept our tickets as
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German, French or Spanish. They were surrounded by a number of colourful, yet deserted market stalls, each one covered in plastic pots holding plastic food. Again, the stalls were divided equally between the three languages. We took our seats (I was on a German table), scattered throughout the six tables, and started, like so many students around us, to flick aimlessly through the various language dictionaries on the thanked the wonderful staff for looking tables, or started up conversations. after us and said “Goodbye”. Even though the last few action-packed days were tiring, we all still had lots of energy and we listened to music and sang along all the way to the ferry port (and all the way back on this side too!). start of the morning made her way to the On the way back, the teachers gave out microphone. She proceeded to tell us the awards and key rings and we all order of events in the second half of the celebrated the best four days ever with session. We would be practising phrases more music! to use in the market and learning about euros, and, if we had time at the end, we would start to learn a bit of Russian. Each table was presented with a folder A woman cleared her throat into containing sheets with phrases that we the strategically placed microphone would be using in the marketplace. We positioned at the front of the hall, and the noise in the large room died almost instantly. She announced we would be starting our activities, and the whole morning would be based around a marketplace. We all had an amazing time. We met We began by making shopping lists in great new friends, enjoyed ourselves, got the language of our table, by choosing a to know each other better, learnt a lot food item in English and looking it up in and made some very special memories the corresponding language dictionary. that will stay with us forever. This took everyone roughly twenty Charlotte Painter, 7RW minutes, and I found it quite fun. set about practising them for five minutes or so before swapping language sheets in the same direction we swapped MAT MFL tables and learning them for five minutes, before repeating. Conference Following this, we were presented with Arriving at school at 8.25am, five yet another folder, but this one minutes before we were due to leave for contained a sheet on euros and several the MAT MFL conference at the euro coins and notes. We were then told Blake Theatre, I hurriedly hoisted my to match up euro coins and notes to the rucksack up onto my back, corresponding pictures on the laminated simultaneously slamming the car door sheet. Finally, we were allowed to start shut before skedaddling up to Room Following this we switched tables: manning the market stalls, the part Seven. Thank goodness, I wasn’t late. German to French, French to Spanish everyone had been looking forward to all The nine MAT students and our and Spanish to German, and did exactly morning. I started off behind one of the teacher, Miss Wilcox, left school and the same, except just in a different Spanish market stalls, then buying in the headed to the Blake Theatre where we language. Rinse and repeat. This took us German area, and finished off selling in were ushered into the main hall area. to 10.10am and break, with squash and the French section in the market. This Three other schools were already there biscuits for fifteen minutes, before took us nearly to the end of the morning, and the room was full of quiet muttering. returning to the hall. but left us with just enough time for There were six tables in the hall, each As we made our way back to our tables, fifteen minutes of Russian. devoted to one of three languages; the same lady who had spoken at the Kate Rogers, 7CL
24 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Duke of Edinburgh Awards MCS Duke of Edinburgh students completed their practice expeditions in Abergavenny over the Easter holidays in preparation for their main expeditions in the summer. Here’s what they got up to, with students from the other comprehensive schools in the area.
Bronze Group A - Group B - Bronze in camp Sugar Loaf in background On top of the Deri
Bronze in camp Bronze in camp Bronze in camp
Silvers at the top of the Sugar Loaf Golds on Pen Allt Mawr G o l d s e v e n m a n a g e d t o squeeze some revision in
The DofE in MCS is run through Monmouthshire Youth The final Gold expedition culminates in a six day trip to the Service and the school and delivers all 3 levels of the Award, Lake District. Students may start at any level, but it takes Bronze at Y10, Silver at Y11 and Gold during Y12 and Y13. longer to complete the Award if you haven’t completed the previous level. The Award is recognised throughout the UK and around the globe, by universities and employers, as the number one Finally, on completing the Gold Award, the young people vocational qualification a young person can complete. and a family member go to St James Place in London to meet a member of the royal family to collect their Award. At all three levels, students take part in Volunteering, Physical activities, Learning a new skill and two expeditions and at For more information on DofE, please email Gold they also take part in a five day residential activity. [email protected]
25 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Confidence (and Voices) Soar!
MAYHEM is a youth musical theatre company Malone, Into The Woods, and this year have based in Monmouth. The team of devoted taken on the challenge of performing the members, their parents and group leader, musical theatre phenomenon, Les Misérables. Andrew Griffiths, have produced excellent The group has 40 young people of immense productions of Oliver, Joseph And The talent that is showcased in their weekly Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Bugsy rehearsals.
I have been a member of the group for just over two years. I joined as a self-conscious and shy girl with a passion for musical theatre. Within the first two weeks of joining I had gained the confidence that can only be supplied through theatre and made friends Into The Woods 2016
with people I would have never met had I not joined. I have had the eye-opening opportunity to perform on stage as a chorus member and as a principal whilst being surrounded by some of the most talented young Les Mis rehearsals people I am lucky enough Bugsy Malone 2015 Into The Woods 2016 to call my friends. Les Miserables is being performed at The Forest Theatre, Five Acres Campus, Coleford on the 25th, 26th, 27th of October 2017. New members are always welcome; rehearsals take place on Monday nights at Monmouth Methodist Church. Matilda Mear, 10PY
Into The Woods 2016
26 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 D of E Gold Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award has exposed me to experiences, places, people and opportunities that otherwise I would never have faced. In my time at MCS I have completed my Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
In summer 2016, a group of us from comprehensive schools met with tea and biscuits at the remote famous youth hostel across Monmouthshire went to the Lake District to complete our ‘Black Sail Hut.’ I remember being sat in Black Sail feeling Gold Award. For me, the Gold expedition really was a lifetime overwhelmed by the successes of my group but feeling a real experience, despite being the most physically and mentally sense of achievement, which embarrassingly set me off in a flood challenging thing I have ever done. The expedition involved us of tears. walking for over 90km through the Lake District's most scenic My Gold expedition has really taught me that anything is possible areas. Walking for five days required a significant amount of if you believe in yourself and have good people around you who stamina and endurance, and we were definitely faced with some believe it too. I have made friends of a lifetime with memories I challenges. My most vivid memory is on the fourth day after will never forget. The Awards have also required consistent being faced with the hardest part of the expedition ‘Red Pike’ commitment to sport and volunteering which has been extremely which involved us climbing the steep mountain above the clouds beneficial; it has enabled me to develop a range of transferable in torrential rain for hours and hours. This part of the expedition skills such as leadership, perseverance and initiative, which I was extremely tough for us, having already endured three believe will help me through university. Within the next couple of challenging days. However, I remember being greeted by our months I am hoping to visit St James’ Palace for my Gold leaders and accessors at the bottom of Red Pike where we were presentation where I will receive my final Award. Catching Up Charley Bicknell, 13BF Duke of Edinburgh Gold On 8th March 2017 Lavar Englefield, who left MCS in 2015, received his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award at St James’s Palace in London. Lavar was accompanied by his Award for ex-student proud mum Mrs Englefield. After safety checks outside the Palace, the Welsh group was asked to come into the Throne Room. Here the young people had the opportunity to chat with Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who looked as spritely as ever despite his 95 years of age. He put the young people at ease with his jokes. The Awards were then presented by Mark Goldring, CEO of Oxfam UK, who praised the young people and gave an inspiring speech on the values of volunteering. Only 7000 young people receive the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award each year in the UK. The Richard Arnold Prize Every year around 250 medic students and staff are joined by colleagues, family and friends who all come together to celebrate excellence in medical education. Surgam, Latin for ‘I shall rise’, is an event designed to inspire, to reward, to motivate and to demonstrate the pride we take in our students and staff. Awards are presented to both students and staff to celebrate the worthwhile, impressive and inspiring things they do within the curriculum and outside of it. The Richard Arnold Prize is a coveted Year 3 Special Cameron Watson Award. It was presented at Surgam 2017 to the top ranking SSC project in Psychological Lavar Englefield outside St James’s Palace Medicine. This year the Richard Arnold Prize went to deserving Cardiff University medic with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award student, Cameron Watson who was a student at MCS.
27 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 World Challenge MONGOLIA 2016
In the Summer of 2016, a group of 10 Sixth Form students, accompanied by Miss Feldon and Mr Curnow travelled to Mongolia on a three week long World Challenge expedition. World Challenge requires students to Day 1: July 12th 2016 - nature of our team, we swiftly made it lead their own expedition; they design into a competition, and of course, my the itinerary, are in charge of budgets, Charlie superior all-girl group put the rest to accommodation and transport whilst in Today was build-up day and was filled shame! I think at this point, realisation the country. with a healthy mixture of stress and hit - we are going to have to get cozy with one another and that by the end of They are allowed to make mistakes and excitement as we battled with our the trip, we would all know each other are forced to problem solve, engage with rucksacks trying to fit everything in. We better than we might like! local cultures and be responsible for the all emptied our bags (that we had been environment. Challengers also have to painstakingly packing for the last couple Next we tackled the serious stuff such as raise their own funds to earn their spot of days) and let Sue, our Expedition our transport from Ulaanbaatar Airport on the team - £4000 each. This is no Leader, go through our kit. She to our accommodation, and dividing up mean feat and is only for those who can reminded us that we didn’t need a toilet the ‘essential’ group kit (why on earth do show commitment, dedication, creativity we need 20m of rope, and who is going bag big enough to cater for the whole and focus. As each student stepped on to carry it?!). Once everything was team and that we probably wouldn’t find the plane to depart Heathrow, they had divided, it was time to repack our bags the opportunity to wear slippers out on already overcome significant challenges, with all of our additional items – how will the Mongolian Steppes! Needless to say, bonded as a team and proven themselves it all fit?! At some point I think it became I think we are all going to be in for a to be an impressive group. The more of a wrestling bout than a packing shock when we arrive - but we can’t wait! expedition would only reinforce this and master-class, but by the end of the day allow each individual to challenge After going through our kit, we set about we were all confident that at last we had themselves, to grow, to learn and to have pitching the tents we were to live in for the essentials to survive Mongolia. Let a serious adventure! the next few weeks. In the competitive the adventure begin!
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Day 2 - Dan the gate, we ended up having to run – Day 3 - Jared praying that the gate wouldn’t close What a day! Everything we have been before we got there, we put our hard My turn to lead! My job was to get us on preparing for over the last two years has earned fitness skills to the test! Granted, to our plane from Beijing to finally come around. Meeting in it was my fault this happened - as Leader, Ulaanbaatar, and then to our guest- school at 2:30pm we said goodbye to our I dropped the ball, but there’s nothing house. Before boarding we tried to make parents and the safe house of Monmouth. wrong with spicing the trip up (before contact with our accommodation to see Jared’s gran is a legend! Fifty Welsh cakes we even leave the UK!). Lesson learned. if they had any tips for transport, but made for the bus journey to Heathrow This is our trip, we are in charge and we unfortunately we had no luck. I’d have to and they were mighty fine indeed! need to lead this thing. We made it. spend some time on the plane coming up with a plan! I sat with our Lonely We checked in on an automatic check-in Imagine my horror when I realised Planet guide and tried to get my and tagged our bags. Some bags were Millie Sutton was sat next to me, lol! bearings. I picked up some tips on taxis overweight - Jared(!) - but we were all Stuffy conditions, heat and little room to get comfortable made this a less than and, by the time we landed, had a rough sorted fairly quickly. pleasant flight. I am sleep deprived idea of where we needed to go. We entered security and, after some which means I am grumpy – what’s Thankfully, as we exited the airport confusion and consultation over our new?! The team will soon get to there were some really helpful guides personal attack alarms, and getting stuck understand! who pointed us in the direction of a free behind a gentleman who wanted to travel We landed in Beijing at 16:52 local time. shuttle bus service which would take us with a litre of olive oil, we were through! Despite not leaving the airport, we could to a taxi rank. We caught the bus and We collected our group funds and had to tell it was boiling! After struggling to get then bundled into taxis. Although it was divide them up between us. Trying to be through passport control, having joined dark as we travelled to our guest-house, as subtle as possible, I counted out $500 the wrong queue (three times) we we got our first glimpse of Mongolia! for each of us. eventually cracked it! I am writing as we There were some grand Russian style The plane was boarding at 21:40 and we wait to check in to our second flight structures and statues, and some less were sat quite calmly near Duty Free. today. We’re looking forward to touching wealthy looking structures too! When we Not realising it was such a long walk to down in Mongolia! got to our guest-house, we were all a little
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while we are camping and the other half stayed back in the hostel and planned the rest of the day, organising costs, routes etc. I was part of the planning group so I ended up having it quite easy whilst the shoppers had to walk half a kilometre with 800,000T worth of food in their arms and on their backs! Afterwards, we ate lunch and headed out to the National Museum of Mongolia which the Presidents of Mongolia, Portugal and Latvia visited while we were looking around. The museum contained many ancient artefacts and lots about the Great Mongol Empire. It was really interesting and helped us appreciate just where we are about to explore. As we left, we took some time to explore the large square at the anxious to see what it would be like. Safe much needed feed of weirdly delicious centre of the city with a huge statue of to say the smell in the entrance-way baked/fried goods whilst we waited for Ghengis Khan - the perfect spot for didn’t encourage us, but our rooms are our meeting with our trekking agents some group photographs! not too bad at all and our host is lovely. ‘Ger to Ger’. After a shaky start, we soon Next, we went to a Mongolian restaurant The guys’ room is better than the girls - gained confidence that we were heading called ‘Modern Nomads’ and we had they have made the error of unpacking in the right direction. Wanting a little meals which ranged from chicken and and it looks like a bomb has gone off! confirmation, we heard a voice call out chips to Mongolian dumplings and Anyway, after all the travelling, it is “World Challenge!”. This was our ‘in- noodles. We then made an attempt to definitely time for bed. country agent’ whom we were going to visit the temple but it was closed. see, who walked the rest of the way with Day 4: Our first full us. In our meeting he told us a lot about Day 6: The Black day in Mongolia! - Nick Mongolia and how he got to this Market and our last position. He was passionate about eco- I was Leader for our first full day in the tourism and informative about what to day in UB! - Emily country! Our first task was to find an do to in a lightning storm in the Today was jam-packed! We met another exchange bureau and change some of wilderness! We also met our translator, World Challenge group from Australia our group funds into Tughrik. A few Tamir, who will be with us during our who were readying themselves to leave from the group volunteered to go out trek and project phase. We asked him to Mongolia, to bargain for some of their exploring, armed with a to-do list. Get join us for dinner at a Mongolian BBQ money – use said money to buy equipment. We got some pots and pans in the city where some of the boys and I and some things we hadn’t even thought breakfast! We found that lots of places forgot our training weekend tips and ate were closed due to a national holiday of - a chopping board (genius!) but still salad, unsure of how it had been washed. needed to adventure to the black market. which we didn’t know about. We asked Fingers crossed!! In the early evening we We had a team meeting to decide some local police for help, but they did some shopping to get some supplies budgets and come up with a strategy to seemed as clueless as us! They did, for the next couple of days. Back at base, split up and find different items on our however, direct us to a bank where a some of the group played games list. We were fully prepped for a bustling miscommunication through the (‘Werewolf’ is becoming a team and hectic market, but it turned out the language barrier saw a kind man lead us favourite), whilst accountants did their bus was busier! to the toilet – he thought we were saying work. Theo was my assistant today so he ‘toilet’ rather than ‘tughrik’! After that will take over leadership tomorrow. We bartered like experts for a few hours, kind but misinformed gesture we found got all of our items and came away an open exchange bureau to change our Day 5: Preparations feeling rather pleased with ourselves. money. We split into more groups so trek and sightseeing - The market was more like a mall with Sue, Charlie and I could go and three floors of shops and no signs of purchase a SIM card for our ‘in-country Theo pick-pockets! phone’, whilst Jemima, Jared and Theo Today we started the day by splitting the The end of the day came around very were left to deliver breakfast to the rest of groups in half. One half went to get quickly. We went for a meal in a Western the group who had stayed back at camp. supplies in the local department store or restaurant - keen to have one last bit of We regrouped at the hostel and all had a the bakery, ready for the next two weeks something familiar and comfortable
30 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 before the trek begins; our last treat. Half After a two hour stop it was time to get before we lost the last light of the day. A way through dinner we got a call to say back into the Forgons to continue our fire was started and the cooking team got our made-to-measure riding boots were long journey. We had a few pit stops for to work - pasta and Bolognese sauce ready, so we went to collect them on our the drivers to get fuel and food. We tonight. The resulting meal was way back to the hostel. It is all real and stopped for lunch at a restaurant – our interesting(!) and took a lot longer to happening now. Alarms set for 5am! last luxury and functioning toilets for the cook than anticipated. However, foreseeable future. everyone ate it and were grateful – or at The food was very least they pretended to be! Dinner good, traditional finished at midnight and by the time the Mongolian food and washing up had been done by headtorch the people were very light, everyone was more than ready to friendly. crash for the night. After lunch the fun part of the journey Day 8: First day on began. We left the horseback and festival tarmac for hours of - Millie bumpy off-road journeying! It was Today we had our first morning in camp such great fun! After and our first time on the horses. We all a long time woke around 8am and had Nutella or travelling we jam on porridge for breakfast. stopped at a village After a sudden downpour of rain we had for a break. There to pack up quickly and get on the Day 7: Travelling to was horse-racing and lots of people horses. The most experienced people riding around, it was like a Wild West volunteered to go first, then the others Batshireet - Jim film! Nick and Tamir thought it was the followed. I have been anxious about this perfect time to learn some Mongolian Today started at 5am, a very early start! since I signed up for expedition. Having wrestling skills! After a short while it was Our two buses (Russian Forgons) fallen off a horse when I was little, I was back to the Forgons and for hours we arrived at 6am and somehow we terrified. The first trip lasted about an drove through rivers and on dirt paths. managed to pack all our rucksacks and hour and we arrived at Batshireet where This bumpy journey continued for we were lucky enough to attend an food - it was a squish, but we got there another 3-4 hours, though it felt like a lot somehow! annual cultural festival. We firstly tied up longer! Finally we arrived at Batshireet all of our horses at the wrangler’s winter We arrived at the Ghengis Khan Statue but our journey wasn’t quite over! We home in the village. The wranglers Complex an hour before it opened but a continued from the town a few more helped us dismount and made sure we group decision meant we waited it out. kilometres to our wrangler’s summer were all OK and we then walked to the Miss Feldon decided she wanted to be a house - a small shed in a vast open space. festival. All the houses in the village had Forgon driver until she tried the horn As soon as we arrived tents went up brightly coloured roofs and looked and woke everyone up within a five mile awesome! People in the village were radius! To pass the time we climbed to dressed up in traditional dress and the top of the hill across from the statue looked beautiful! The afternoon was very and found a spot to take some photos hot so we found some shade in the arena with the enormous statue in the to watch archery competitions and background. traditional wrestling. We watched a When the Complex gates finally opened children’s horse-race finish which was and we could get up close, we realised incredible. Children as young as four how massive the statue was! We climbed and five were galloping at full pelt with up into the horse’s head and spent some no saddles - they made us look hopeless! time in a small museum which taught us Getting this insight into traditional about the importance of the statue, how cultures was a real treat - as were the it was built and some Mongolian history. traditional foods on offer - Mongolian According to tales, this is the spot that pasties are good! Khan found a whip when he was a boy. After a few hours we walked back to our In Mongolian myth and culture, if a horses ready to saddle up again. The male finds a horse whip it is a sign that wrangler’s little daughter attacked us all they will be destined for greatness. Some with a water pistol and we all played - of the girls also tried on some traditional actually it was lovely to be sprayed with Mongolian dress which was great fun! some cool water! We journeyed back to
31 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 camp on horseback and all tried to get of the wranglers and Tamir started possible, we taught them ‘Splat’. We more confident with horse riding skills singing some Mongolian songs so we taught Chuka (our chief wrangler) how and commands. ‘Chu!!’ means go, returned the favour with a rousing to lead the game and all had a blast though when one person with a slow rendition of the Welsh national anthem playing together – we all laughed so horse says it, all the quick ones set off! and then everything from Frozen to much – he was loving the power! After I’m sure we’ll work it out! Queen! I think they may have been sorry all the fun and games we settled down Back at camp it was time to slaughter the they started the singing idea but we all into our tents preparing for the longest laughed and enjoyed each other’s goat that the wranglers had bought for trek day on our itinerary tomorrow. us. We had named him Dinner to make company. (Thankfully the horses didn’t the situation less traumatic. We all seem to mind!). Day 10: Horse trekking decided to watch the wranglers as they We got to camp early enough to have a - Charlie killed it to show our respect - if we were much needed wash in the river which going to enjoy the food, we wanted to was awesome! Some of us did some Waking up to even more rain meant that appreciate where it had come from. We washing in bowls on the river bank whilst today’s start was delayed and uncertain. also got to see the traditional methods, others washed their hair. Just as washing The first priority was to have full there was absolutely no struggle, no lines were constructed between tents and stomachs and keep warm with hot drinks suffering and no waste. We cooked up we all began to dry off feeling clean, whilst waiting for the go ahead from the meat over the fire and had some relaxed and rather smug, the wranglers Chuka. Eventually we got underway for toasted marshmallows for afters. We gave called to us and pointed to the sky. Rain a very long trek. We stopped for lunch some to the wranglers, the language was coming. Great! again in the wilderness. Sue told each of barrier did not matter – their facial Tonight the wranglers cooked for us. us to walk to find a spot on our own (not expressions told us they were not They made a traditional dish whereby too far away!) and to just sit for a few impressed! minutes to take everything in. Our they layered goat meat (yes, more surroundings were beautiful and it was Dinner!) with potatoes and rocks in a Day 9: Full day horse lovely to stop and appreciate the wonder big pot, cooked slowly over the fire. It and vastness of where we are. trekking - Lowri was the most delicious feed – we all We started the day with some cereal to fought for seconds! No wonder they Many of us were relieved to see sight of fuel our first full day of trekking. Just as weren’t impressed with toasted camp after about six hours riding – the we set off with our horses, Dan’s horse marshmallows if this is what they can horses seemed pleased too! Both Emily decided it wanted to go faster than Dan do cooking over a fire! and Theo’s horses laid down as we approached. In camp, the cooking team did! Dan very gracefully dismounted! We After dinner, the sun came back out got to work and the water team took continued our trek for a few hours, and there was a beautiful vibrant chatting as we went along and we all jerry cans to the river to collect water. rainbow. A vehicle approached from the gradually became more at ease on We enjoyed a lovely evening in camp, other side of the playing cards, chatting and watching the river (where on sun go down. earth it came from I have no idea!). They Day 11: Horse trekking got stuck in the - Megan river so we all pitched in with our Today was a hard day for everyone. A 20m rope to pull thunderstorm overnight ripped the them out! A bit of tarpaulin which was over the van and it team work meant flapped and crashed all night! Inside my we pulled them tent, Jemima and I stared blankly at through! We then all nothing feeling a little shell shocked began playing with whilst Emily got organised and packed the rope. Tamir and all in 10 minutes. Safe to say we are not the other wranglers all morning people! challenged us to a As the trek began, the weather continued game of jump rope much the same as during the night – horseback. The Forgon travelled near us – safe to say they were better than us! cold and wet! This combined with and we all came together for lunch in a We played lots of games, finishing with tiredness was not a good mix! Lunch was spot in the middle of nowhere! We were a tug-of-war competition between our an event as the whole team attempted to now getting an impression for how vast boys and the Mongolians which, I am squeeze under the tarpaulin to get some this country is and all started to embrace proud to say, we won! shelter from the wind and rain! A few being away from technology and the people ventured to see the Buddhist After using the ropes as much as outside world. As we walked along, one shrine which was on top of the hill.
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There were colourful cloths attached to - Rode up a hill..... of river for us to wash in which was a wooden pole and people had left - To make up for lost time we cantered lovely! We played cards in the evening pictures, money and food as offerings. across the steppes. Best feeling, and more flatbreads were made. Dan Perhaps, fortunately, due to the weather, moving as a team, looking like pros! and Lowri rustled up a few more chips we couldn’t complete the whole planned which were amazing! - Set up camp by a river - beautiful spot. trek and only did about two hours on After a long hot day and a lovely chilled - Lowri and I made traditional flat horseback before stopping at our new out evening, we hit the sack. camp. Despite being our shortest day, breads - taught by the master - Chuka. the last 10 minutes provided perhaps the biggest challenge to our riding capabilities so far! We had to get our horses through a deep, wet bog (which we later found out was our water source for the night!) Dan went first – perhaps unintentionally – and the rest of us followed with the fantastic and patient support of our wranglers. Amongst a chorus of “chu, chu!!” we all successfully crossed unscathed! Camp was set up in a hurry as we battled with the wind to set the tarpaulin (a battle we are getting used to!). Despite the bog, the wind and the rain, this campsite became one of our favourites so far as the drop squat toilet had a roof and wooden panel to hide behind – life’s little luxuries make all the difference! In the evening the weather quietened - Cooked chips - amazing! Even Chuka The diary could go on day by day, but in down and we were able to get some approved and Sue gave me a all honesty, we struggled to keep up with quality time bonding with the wranglers. handshake for them. I am winning. it for the full three weeks in country. It is We all sat together under the tarpaulin - Made a tipi out of wood intended for perhaps a good thing as it would turn and we asked them questions about their a fire. All felt like kids. Awesome. into an epic; however it is more a sign of the whole team being so fully immersed life, families, ambitions etc. It was lovely - Sunset was red. Best one we’ve seen in the experience than to focus on daily to get to know, so much better, the so far. What a place. people who have been helping us and to diary entries. We were always together, - Theo snored AGAIN. learn about their lives. We all laughed as there were always things going on, from Tamir translated their answers and jokes Walking trek - Jared cooking to teaching the wranglers card for us. They think Jared looks like a big games, to plaiting one another’s hair (our Russian! Chatting like this was a real I have been looking forward to my Head Boy became chief French plait highlight for us all and definitely helped Leader day. We started the day early so it provider!) to building tipis and telling us bond. We finished the evening with was nice and cool to get walking. After a stories. To see young people embracing another game of splat and duck duck breakfast of champions (noodles) we an unknown culture and making genuine goose - our inner children were released started moving. We were glad to have friendships through a complete language only day packs on us as the temperature with full force! Tomorrow is supposed to barrier was truly inspiring. To say we got began to rise. We walked along chatting; be a longer day than today as we make caught up in living the expedition and it was nice to chat to Tamir about his life up for the distance we couldn’t do today, forgot to write the expedition is fair and and studies. It got really hot by midday however, the unpredictable weather may perhaps right. so we were a little miffed to find out that have other plans! We’ll just have to go we’d walked in the wrong direction a After the trek phase, Tamir stayed with with the flow! little bit but it’s all part of the adventure us but we left Chuka and the rest of the Day 12: a summary of and we all enjoyed the challenge (and the wranglers who made their long return breaks and the lunch stop!). journeys home. We travelled on to our an epic day - Dan project phase at a small school in the As we approached camp we came across town of Binder, a bizarre little town that - Rain and wind all morning! Didn’t set a wide but quite shallow stream. One of time forgot. We refurbished a library and off from camp until the afternoon. the wranglers brought a horse to us so a classroom, painting and laying new that we could all be ferried across. Camp - Rode up a hill. floors. We played sports with the school was pretty nice. There was a calm stretch - Rode down a hill. children and were treated to a wonderful
33 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 concert of traditional song, on expedition with students music and dance. We had and returned with friends the chance to try some of with whom we too shared their instruments – some the experience of a lifetime. with more skill than others! Yes, World Challenge poses Again, our students did us challenges, it is supposed proud and the school to. It also makes already caretaker cried with impressive young people happiness when he came to into brave, understanding, see our completed work. well-rounded and responsible Listening to our team global citizens. I laughed problem-solve, praise one with these students every another, support one day and am grateful for the another and work as a unit memories they allowed me was a privilege. to collect too.
Miss Feldon Again, our team supported and On our way home from Mongolia we encouraged one another in a manner stayed for a couple of nights in Beijing. that was truly humbling. Those who Moving from the vast open emptiness of stood at the bottom unsure they could Mongolia, to the overcrowded bustling do it, did it with a smile and a friend at streets of this vast city could not have their side. been more different. We braved the Our students were simply superstars. crowds to explore with wonder the They embraced every challenge, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square overcame every obstacle, were patient, and endured the stifling heat to climb a good humoured, adventurous, empathetic, challenging section of the Great Wall of open-minded and kind throughout this Mongolia ’16 - China. In the heat, this was no easy task. entire expedition. Mr Curnow and I left simply awesome!
34 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Design & Technology Work
Emily Bressington
Owen Craddock Hannah Jones
Greg Powell
Aaron Hope Rory Calderwood Rowan Kohler-Hoon
Angus Packman
Aaron Bowen Adam Jones
Rob Carter Sam Friend
35 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Eisteddfod Ysgol Gyfun Trefynwy Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Eisteddfod SHWMAE! On Friday 17th February 2016 we celebrated our annual school Eisteddfod, an event which gives all students from Years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to showcase their academic and performing abilities and talents.
Daniel, who is a big football fan, entered the competition under the pseudonym of his favourite player, Gareth Bale. He wrote about his interests which, of course, include football and he even made the front page of the local newspaper, The Beacon. Da iawn, Dan! Other winners The highlight of any Eisteddfod is included Oliver Riba Fookes for the Chairing Ceremony of the Bard singing and Lola McLennan 7LC for and this year’s winner was Daniel dancing. Jones of 7LC for his poem on ‘Hapusrwydd’/’Happiness’. Our Form, 7NL, were the winners of ‘Cân Dosbarth Blwyddyn 7’/’The Year 7 Class Song’. We sang a song about the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll- gogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogo goch – one of the world’s longest Diolch am ddarllen. Hwyl am y tro. place names! As you can imagine, Katy Welton, 7NL we had a lot of fun and our Form Tutor, Mr Snelgrove, who is also our Welsh teacher, was over the moon with our win. Without a doubt, the Eisteddfod was a highlight of my first nine months at MCS and I know that my friends and I are looking forward to taking part again next year.
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“Rydw i’n dwli ar Llangrannog!”
I’ve been to Llangrannog twice now, first in 2015 (Y7) and again in 2016 (Y8) and each time has been a remarkable experience. To my amazement, each time was different in a way that meant I had one of the best times of my life. The trip will take you away from Monday morning to Friday evening: Llangrannog is approximately a three hour drive from Monmouth.
There are two main sleeping quarters on schools are also staying at Urdd Gobiath site, equalling around 64 rooms. Once Cymru. you arrive, you will be told by your During my stay in Llangrannog I had an Group Leader where you are sleeping amazing time. I loved every minute from and who you are rooming with. Your start to finish. From the trampolining to group will be the people you will do all the high ropes to the circus skills and to the activities with, although they won’t getting totally plastered in mud on the be the only people you will see, as other assault course, I had a fantastic week. The activities, members of staff and, of course, my friends made speaking Welsh so relaxed and fun that I didn’t even notice that I was working. The weather was fab and so nice that we even walked to the beach and had an ice cream and had a camp fire with loads of marshmallows to toast. I’m gutted that I can’t go this year but I’m looking forward to going as a SWOG in Y11. Chloe Barden, 9MA
37 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Let Them Eat Cake
Y11 GCSE Catering Students provided a professional The students worked diligently all day to produce their menu Afternoon Tea serving refreshments, as part of a meeting of and continued into the early evening. Part of their task was the Association of Language Learning Branch on Wednesday to present the room and also serve the guests. Our students 30th November. were a credit to our school and conducted themselves with professionalism, not to mention the endless comments about The group meet to discuss areas of language learning, the delectable and impressive array of food. however the meeting was made more delightful by our catering students delivering a variety of savoury and sweet Many thanks to the hard work of students and also treats. Mrs Fuller in supporting the group.
Nobody does it better than MCS Hospitality and Catering students when providing Afternoon tea to the Faculty of Art, Music and Drama as part of their GCSE Controlled Assessment! Here is just a little flavour of what they can do!
38 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Enduring Voices
The aptly themed Monmouth Literary Festival built on previous years’ successes as we saw the return of the Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, slam poet Joelle Taylor and our colleagues from the University of Bristol. Indeed, it was our colleagues who opened the Festival in a series of workshops with Y12 English Literature students that focused on those enduring voices across a variety of texts. This event is always commended by those who participate and we are pleased that Bristol wish to continue with this event next year too!
Arguably one of the most enduring narrative voices in allowed us all to produce contemporary fiction for young people is Michael Morpurgo ‘art’ and we were joined by and we were our local primary school for delighted to an energetic performance by welcome him to the Etherington Brothers Monmouth. It was who brought comics to life. thrilling to listen to In addition to the Year Group Michael recount his wide events, we also offered favourite scenes more bespoke experiences from War Horse, for groups of learners. There Private Peaceful and were literacy workshops, the the heart-warming chance for our writers to join My Father was a local poets for a relaxed Polar Bear! As well as being utterly generous with his stories, session of reading and Michael was kind enough to meet families and be interrogated coaching and a small group by his audience. were also given the opportunity to produce ‘A Play In A Day’. Wednesday saw another A stand out event, hosted by Year 10 volunteers as part of their packed event at The Savoy as Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, was our Enduring Voices in Dame Carol Ann returned the Community tea. Bridges Community Centre helped co- as part of the Shore to Shore ordinate this special afternoon that saw youngsters and elders tour. Accompanying Carol come together to Ann was the keenly political share their stories. Jackie Kay, the entrancing Any nerves were Imtiaz Dharker and festival soon forgotten as favourite John Sampson. This our volunteers event also showcased local sparkled and made poet Jonathan Edwards who some very special entertained a full house memories during with recollections from his this tea. childhood. Monmouth Literary As the week progressed the joint school activities got into full Festival could not swing. We were pleased to welcome Matthew McAvoy who happen without the kindness of local establishments - especially gave a motivational seminar about how storytelling can build a whist we are in the throes of our new build - thanks go to career. Further inspiration from myths and legends were The Savoy Theatre, Shire Hall, The Blake Theatre and Coffee #1 discussed by Sarah Mussi who explored how her who all hosted events and we are grateful for home in Snowdonia provides a vehicle for her their patience, time and space. We are also imagination. Sarah spent a great deal of time appreciative to our sponsors: Monmouth Town answering questions and coaching our aspiring Council and Monmouth Rotary Club without writers, for which all were very grateful. More whom we could not bring such an event to our poetry engrossed our younger and older town. The army of t-shirted volunteers do a students on the Monday: the younger audience sterling job of making sure we’re all in the right were treated to a workshop and performance by place at the right time. Steve Camden, whilst Year 9 were challenged Finally, our friends at Monmouth School and and entertained by the exceptionally talented Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls have Joelle Taylor. The diversity of events continued: given tremendous support as we establish a Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds gave a thought- common unity for all of the town’s young provoking seminar to our senior students about people through enduring voices old and young. life with Thalidomide, Horrible Science illustrator Tony Du Saulles led an interactive session that Mrs Young
39 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Art Round Up Eisteddfod The 2016 National Eisteddfod took place in Abergavenny between July 30th and August 6th. The annual festival celebrates the best of Wales, always taking place on the first week of August, and is regarded as the "pinnacle of the Welsh cultural calendar". We were delighted when a selection of work by MCS students was displayed at the Eisteddfod.
PEG-IT-UP MCS were delighted when Natalie Morgan (Y12) came second and Joe Buckland (Y11) third for best picture as voted for by the public at the annual Peg-it-Up Exhibition. Their successful pictures were Alice in Wonderland and Fish n’chips. Held at Babington Meadow, the annual Peg-it-Up exhibition takes place every September, when students from MCS, Monmouth School and HMSG exhibit their latest and best original work in a Peg-it-Up environment. Works are for sale with proceeds split between the artists and the Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth. Quentin Blake Exhibition A group of Y7 students visited Cardiff Museum and Art Gallery to view the Quentin Blake ‘Inside Mark Everson Masterclass Stories’ Exhibition. Featuring more than 120 A self-taught local artist, Mark Everson is a works, the exhibition brought together Quentin pencil artist whose main area of focus is Blake's drafts and storyboards with finished graphite, although he also works in coloured art-work to demonstrate how ideas evolved, pencil. Mark specialises in photo-realistic giving a unique insight into the origins of some graphite/charcoal art and coloured pencil work. of his most iconic and popular creations. Working mainly on portraits of people and The students spent the morning looking through the illustrations and took the animals, Mark also produces caricatures using opportunity to sketch the tea cups and ceramic sculptures on show. All agreed coloured pencils and ink pen. it was a fantastic trip. Mark was invited to school to show A Level students photo-realistic pencil techniques to increase their skills for their Unit 1 Portfolio. Y12 student Andrew Cole said “I found the masterclass from Mark Everson so useful. It was great to obtain some first-hand experience of what it’s like to be an artist outside of school. His hyper-realist drawings were really interesting to look at; the amount of time and dedication that he put into his art was really inspiring.”
40 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 News from our Geography Department Our Geographers have been very active this year. Y12 planned their essential fieldwork and were out and about collecting primary data for both human and physical geography studies. Our AS geographers investigated and compared the physical coastal processes and human management along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast to Barry, whilst their human focus was to investigate and evaluate the successes of the Cardiff Bay regeneration programme after the continued period of de-industrialisation in South Wales. Mr Curnow said “The students were a credit to MCS. It was fantastic to see them applying the theory and skills they have acquired in class out will take to the field to study coastal issues and urban change in the field. This will be tested in their AS exam, which will in Monmouth in the final few weeks of term. Key Stage 3 bring much success in the summer I’m sure!” Incoming have been putting their new map skills to the test by getting Head Boy, Ollie Trumper said: “It was great, going out to out and about around the school site, solving puzzles set by actually see the things we learn about in class. It will make their teachers and drawing accurate scale plans of the answering the exam questions much easier and I even taught school. my family about when we visited Cardiff Bay!” The inaugural trip to Swansea University’s Geography As the AS Geographers become A2, they’ll need to put these Department for their Spring Lecture took place in the spring skills to the test again as they devise and plan their own term. This year’s theme was ‘On Shaky Ground‘ Tectonic individual fieldwork projects in the final few weeks and at the Hazards and their Management’. Mr Curnow said “The trip start of next year. GCSE Geographers are following suit - they was a great success and marks the start of our two Geography Departments working together in engaging students in the importance of Geography as well as enhancing their learning. It was a highly engaging and interactive lecture which was enjoyed by several South Wales schools and was a very helpful addition to the learning for the A - Level course”.
41 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 News from the English Faculty
Two of our students, Kesia Fraser and Sasha Norris, both from Tyler Smith reached the third round of his class poetry slam with 7CL, entered a poetry competition called Busta Rhyme at the this WW1 poem. (Students decided on the winners each time beginning of the year. The competition was for secondary based on their own success criteria!) school students and was meant to be about something they feel passionately about. Conflict Kesia wrote a mature and raw poem about conflict called ‘I Am War’, and Sasha wrote about her feelings towards her sisters. I could see the fear Both girls were selected to feature in an anthology which has In his eyes, I knew now been published. Both poems were notable for their They didn’t tell the truth. maturity of perception, their ability to convey universals in a The posters, the people it personal way and their lyrical quality. Was all a lie? I didn’t know Who to trust I Am War I was scared, I knew I was I absorb hope, Going to be in Hell Hole Valley soon. I crush all feeling, I saw a young boy you could tell And rip lives apart. He was scared. I said “It’s going to be fine”. But we all I am war Knew it wasn’t. We heard bomb’s booming I smile at death, Guns spaying, bullets banging, I kiss torture, The mist, a shining bullet pierced And I seek murder. his head and he dropped. I knew he was dead I didn’t know him I am war long. I detect the taste, If I want to live I have to carry on. Of blood Tyler Smith And crush all dreams. I am war I stab souls, I kill happiness, And rip people’s hearts I am war. Kesia Fraser
What is a sister? Sisters are clothes borrowers, secret keepers, cover stealers, fit throwers, but life without them would be unbearable. They keep you on your feet when you need them the most and almost always have your back A sister is a crazy, silly, sassy, bossy person who you call family. I love her, I miss her, I tease her and I kiss her, she is my family and that means more than I can say. What would I do without them? I love you Jasmine and Daisy Sasha Norris
42 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Youth Speaks Having participated in the Rotary Club’s Youth Speaks competition twice before, and not being alien to public speaking, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2017 Youth Speaks competition, in which my team and I, (Charlie Breton, Louise Pardington and Hannah Pope) progressed to the District final, where, sadly, we came second.
Our subject of ‘Equality in Education’ was something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing in the Monmouth competition. The perfectly innocuous title belied the tense topic it covered, namely of the issue of the existence of private educational institutes, both here and abroad. Competing against the Monmouth School and HMSG teams, we were not surprised at the somewhat cold looks we received following our speeches, though this was perhaps unavoidable. Our local competitors also chose controversial topics, mainly about the state of modern politics. However, we were lucky enough to be thought of as not too brash and bold, and won our first round. Trumping the institutions against which we were arguing was something we only took a tasteful amount of satisfaction in. We progressed to the District finals, competing against many more teams, all obviously talented speakers, having made it thus far. To our immense surprise, the subject of issue of private taken on a divided quality, there being separate competitions education, somewhat taboo in Monmouth, was not at all between private school speeches and speeches on other original at the District level. The majority of the teams against subjects. Since another subject won first place, and we came which we were competing were also speaking on the issue of second, we were able to console ourselves in knowing that we private education. This made proceedings very interesting, since had been the best speech on private schools. we were able to see the different angles from which the arguments were made. Luckily, we were chosen to go last, so The feedback was very positive, though would you take being were able to watch our opponents before our turn. told that you speak like an MP in Parliament as a compliment? Having made our speeches, we were awarded second place, first Though this was, perhaps, our last opportunity to speak publicly place being awarded to a team who spoke on the nature of free whilst representing MCS, our success and our enjoyment of the will. This was one of the best situations we could have hoped experience will guarantee that we will all carry on with public for (apart from winning, of course) as, due to the shared private speaking at universities. school subject of many of the speeches, the competition had Wulfstan Scouller, 13GS Sound Training Sound Training is a fast, focused and fun programme that enables students to reach, and even surpass, their predicted grade/level.
The programme stretches everyone, people to hear, say and do within the Y10 students have completed the allowing them to be successful by same activity. session and the results have been exceeding the level they are currently Students attend the Sound Training astonishing! Students’ reading scores working at. It enables students to read sessions for six weeks, completing a one improved by an average of four years, for meaning, and the foundation of that hour session per week. The programme seven months in just six weeks! Don’t is vocabulary knowledge. Without this, has a specific structure that is followed take our word for it… the teaching of the higher order reading in order to achieve optimum success. “Sound Training has had a huge impact skills appears inaccessible to young Students are assessed before they begin on how I view words that I may have people. the programme and again on previously found difficult. It has given Sound Training comprises of a range of completion. me the confidence to approach things activities. These activities incorporate At present, Y9, Y10 and Y11 are that are more challenging and repetition and reinforcement, active completing the Sound Training persevere with tasks. I’m so grateful to recall, speaking and listening; lively Programme with Miss Brennan, have had the opportunity and I know energetic teaching that is fast paced and Mr Phillips and Mr Jones. Students are Sound Training will be invaluable for my GCSEs”. multi-sensory tasks. These tasks appeal enjoying the programme and are excited to all learning styles, allowing young about attending the sessions! Olivia Banner, 10SN
43 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Totally Talented Monmouth Comprehensive students took top honours at a talent contest in November 2016.
Totally Talented Lydney, saw Ellen May Coombe take first place I have always loved singing and joined my primary school choir in the Senior contest (16-19 years old) with Gracie Follows aged eight and also a local choir ‘Sweet Harmony’ (with Tilly winning the Junior contest (11-15 years old). Totally Talented is Anstice and Moiyah Jackson). At Monmouth Comprehensive I a singing competition open to people aged 11 to 19 years from joined the school choir and took part in the school productions. The Forest Of Dean and Wye Valley area. I am also lucky to have busked at Coleford Music Festival and Gracie has given us a glimpse into the showbiz world. performed at school events with my friend Bronwen Davies, a Monmouth’s Got Talent winner. I also attend Summer Schools On 22 October 2016, I auditioned for a local singing contest at Everyman Theatre and am a member of Mayhem Youth called Totally Talented. I had previously auditioned in 2014 and Group (along with a number of MCS students) and all of these was fortunate to reach the semi-finals, this year I hoped to reach have really helped build my confidence when performing. the finals. I managed to reach the finals of Totally Talented which were held on 19 November 2016 at Lydney Town Hall. There were four finalists in both the Junior and Senior Section. Monmouth Comprehensive was well represented in the Junior (U16) Section as two others finalists were Millie and Milliana from MCS. We all sang two songs each and the atmosphere and support from both the contestants and audience was amazing. Although we were all nervous, I think this really helped our performances. I played piano and sang ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ by Guns n’ Roses for my first song and for the second song I sang ‘With You’ from Ghost, the Musical. All of the contestants were amazing so I was extremely surprised and delighted to win the Junior Section. Ellen Coombe (from MCS) won the Senior Section. We both won prizes of £100 plus a day recording at Auraphonic Studio. The experience has really helped with confidence and performance. ‘Memories are Made of This’ at Monmouth Museum On Saturday 20th May, eight Y13 students from MCS (Andrew Cole, Hannah Brady, Zoe McIntosh, Charlotte Ellis, Brooke Bowen, Angel Donaldson, Maisy Young and Kyra Drummond) and staff from Monmouthshire Museum’s Service hosted Monmouth Museum’s first ever Memory Café… and what a success it was. The museum was packed with people laughing and chatting, reminiscing about Champion the Wonder Horse, drinking tea from bone china cups and sampling delicious 1950s inspired afternoon tea. prepared a sumptuous feast of Bread and Dripping, Spam, The students have been working alongside Museum staff for the Battenburg cake and Victoria Sandwich. past few months to plan a series of cafés for older people, people The students, who all dressed in period costume, also spent time living with dementia and their carers. chatting with guests about their memories of life in the 1950s. The students are volunteering to plan and deliver the memory They used a series of objects to trigger memories ranging from cafés as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate Community a 1953 ration book to a powder compact and bicycle clips. Challenge. They have all become Dementia Friends after Tea was served to the sounds of Elvis and Buddy Holly and a attending an information session and have also undertaken great time was had by all, with many of those who attended reminiscence training. This was all put to great use as they booking for the next session.
44 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 The Power of Reading in Learning to Lead our Lives
Steinbeck’s masterpiece, aptly named ‘Of Mice and Men’, is built between him and the arguably the most impactful, tragic and wholeheartedly woes of migrant life. This touching examples of realism I have ever had the privilege of allowed him to explore in reading. Steinbeck, through his career as a writer and a detail the social norms journalist, was able to create a multitude of well-informed, that he believed were detailed, realistic depictions of what life was like for the wrong and subsequently citizens of the early 1900s America. Through his story, he challenged. Whilst under was able to provide his commentary on society whilst the influence of this morose time, and realising the honest simultaneously captivating America. truth about the conditions these workers faced, Steinbeck was able to produce arguably his best and most accurate Steinbeck’s personal mandate as a writer, from an early age, literature. was to convey a message to his audience about the darker side of society at the time, and the prejudices that went with This literature, in question, was a very realistic depiction of it. He was a ‘missionary’ according to friends of his. He had the cruelty of life at the time, and, due to the first-hand a burning compassion for ‘social outcasts’, and he was experience Steinbeck had, some readers accepted the striving to portray life in its raw state, not from ‘interfering’ ‘Grapes Of Wrath’ as fact. This shows how Steinbeck aimed with the everyday lives of people, but from the standpoint of to open the oblivious eyes of the ‘better off’ to the harsh ‘exposition’. brutality of everyday life and also provide a way for workers, who were subjected to this way of life, to find security in his In his novels, it is clear to see that Steinbeck believes in literature, almost like a form of escapism. treating all of humanity with equal respect, and, through the portrayal of the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’, shows that John Steinbeck is said to have ‘used his experiences as the people who are able to be understanding and material for his writing’. He wrote his novels on the hopes compassionate, are indeed, even in the most dire of and dreams of his characters, while cleverly sculpting these situations (like the one portrayed in the novella), more same characters in a way that reflects and provides a social intelligent and ‘more elevated’ than others who are unwilling commentary for a large part of the population. In his early to comprehend one another, thus making them ultimately career, Steinbeck spent time undertaking manual tasks on better individuals. ranches similar to the ones that can be found within his literature. He left Stanford University without a degree in Writing in a time riddled with seemingly endless depression 1925, to pursue his literary ambitions. It was here that he and loneliness, Steinbeck’s mandate as a writer is reflected in gained the eye-opening experiences which influenced and his work - not only to act as a means of exposing the gave such profound colour to his literature. corruption of society, but also to share his views on equality, and, perhaps due to the nature of his surroundings, his His storylines are supposed to have ‘touched a chord’ with controversial beliefs on the way he believes ‘social outcasts’ his ever increasing audience as the situations he portrayed in of 1930s America should be treated. These views of his seem his writing were so relatable to a vast majority of the to have been formed whilst he worked amongst the people American population. The realism he uses to outline his he tried so hard to understand and represent. narratives, combined with the knowledge gained from his own personal experiences, helps his audience to sympathise Steinbeck was from a relatively wealthy family, and his with, and create more of a link and affiliation with the upbringing was a good one. However, he consciously characters within the novel, and by doing so, helps them to decided to pursue a walk of life comprehend their situation with better understanding. different from the one he was associated with, and follow his In conclusion, Steinbeck’s personal mandate as a writer was dream of having a career as a writer, not merely just to create an insight into the corrupt outlook making connections with ranch of America’s crumbling society, but also to provide a workers and migrants. He was a platform from which people were able to interpret how journalist and he was tasked with Steinbeck himself thought society should treat those who are reporting on the life of migrants for less fortunate. Steinbeck was able to educate the public on a newspaper article; yet, this how he believed they should treat each other: with reporting soon turned into a compassion and understanding. fascination and a connection was Finlay Waters, 10TR
45 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Rowing Update 2017
Wycliffe was also the first place where Review of the Year the juniors raced. It was good to see their This is perhaps a rather odd Captain’s progression from the very tentative review. I will not try to list every win at strokes at the beginning of term to every event in the last year as I often feel something a bit more full-bodied on that simply listing them doesn’t do the such a cold December day. It was also achievement justice. We don’t, after all, nice to see them watch the more spend the hours on the river just to keep experienced athletes, and see what they a nice tally. Nor will I not mention them, could become. It is one of the advantages as we are a racing club those cherished of a club that has a broad range of ability moments of success are one of the things and aspiration. The National Sculling Head at Eton’s we really care about. In essence, I hope The equally cold, but more absurdly vast Lake Dorney, was the to share what’s so special about rowing, optimistically titled, Spring term started crescendo to the Spring term. From that but also reflect upon our club and why with a similar realisation that eating event, three crews went on to represent it’s important. mince pies does not constitute training. Wales and West of England at the Junior However, it wasn’t so bad and most Inter-Regional Regatta, a fantastic groans seemed to be gone within the privilege. week. For rowing, it is a difficult time of As I’m writing this, the Summer term is year. There are very few races to focus still ongoing, but some excellent summer the mind, most training is done in the racing has already happened. Side by dark, and the promise of sunny and fast side racing is very different to the head regattas seem like a distant dream. At season. It is often just two boats this time of year, you often rely on the scrapping to beat the other. Adrenaline shared momentum of your crewmates to runs high, muscles ache, but if you have carry you through. This is one of the enough patience and stamina to beat the reasons they are so important, rowing is other crew, there is no greater high. This a team sport with no substitutes. The is why rowing is hard. The early The year starts with a meeting of the race is won or lost with those around mornings, exhausting sessions, blisters whole club on the first day of term. It is you, trust them and let them trust you and the irritating frustrations of the boat a distinctly familiar setting; the usual otherwise you will not succeed. not improving quickly come to nothing faces reflecting on prior campaigns and if in those few moments you can’t pull anticipating those to come, as well as together. This is where the unity, those taking their first tentative steps into friendships and trust come in. When the the sport. It is an odd atmosphere, not feeling of victory and defeat are totally only because it is one of those rare consuming, the people you share it with occasions when the whole club is become very important. When you are in gathered in one room, but it is often a a boat, you must give yourself wholly to time in which we look back as well as it, and the rest of the boat give forward. themselves wholly to you. However, the Autumn term’s reflection The importance to the club of our half- My advice to anyone starting the sport, is normally that we really wish we’d done marathon fundraiser can’t be overstated. or joining our club, is to enjoy it. It’s easy a bit more exercise over the summer, and The money raised by each member to forget when trying not to fall out of a that training was more tiring than completing the run allows us to single, or preparing for a big event; it is remembered. Luckily, this soon passes, continue existing and racing actually supposed to be fun. The people and racing begins in earnest. Monmouth competitively at both a local and national around you may become your closest and Bristol Heads saw some level. We may not have a encouraging early wins that helped private lake and palace-like galvanise the squad for the winter ahead boathouse like Eton’s, but and the arctic conditions of Wycliffe. The through raising our own senior group had an astounding work funds I believe that we derive ethic, with personal records being set on a different sort of strength. I an almost weekly basis. In my five years believe that the unity and at the club, I don’t think I’ve ever seen ownership that comes with anything quite like it. When a group get raising our own funds into such a mentality, it is really contributes hugely to our something to behold. success and identity as a club.
46 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017
2014 where Mr Cowton put on a taster session in the morning for any interested parents. I wobbled around in an Ahoy (grey training boat) with other parents for ten minutes and thought, afterwards, this is definitely something I want to pursue. Monmouth Rowing Club (MRC) then advertised a Learn to Row course and I signed myself up straight away along with a number of other parents of MCSBC athletes - I haven’t looked back, I am totally hooked. I have probably think what on earth are they progressed from the training boats doing(!) but there are categories for (Explorers and Ahoys) into finer boats. ‘senior’ athletes at most events which It can be an incredibly challenging sport, makes it an even more appealing sport both mentally and physically and it most for an ‘oldie’ such as myself. definitely isn’t easy, even though the Mrs E Newman, younger athletes make it look so! When parent and trustee of the it goes right (which is only very Friends of MCS Boat Club friends as you share some brilliant highs occasionally for me at the moment) it is and the occasional withering low. You’ll incredibly satisfying. I am still on a very learn a lot of lessons that you could never steep learning curve but I feel, as the Junior Inter- learn in a classroom, some practical, weeks go by, I am learning more and some just helpful. For me, rowing more. Regional Rowing shaped who I am today and I’m proud of My son, David, is in the Sixth Form now Regatta 2017 how the club has grown, but also I have and still doing five training sessions a On Saturday the 22nd April, the Junior grown with the club. So I suppose the week and competes at many events. He Inter-Regional Regatta took place at question is: “What could rowing do for continues to be totally committed to the the National Water Sports Centre in you?” sport, never complaining about the early Nottingham. The weather was clear and Harry Dalrymple, Club Captain starts or sessions that push him to the bright, the perfect conditions for racing. limit both mentally and physically. I go The regions were kitted out with their along to as many events as I can to cheer own t-shirts and race suits in their MCSBC on. I have met a wonderful regional colours, ranging from the bright group of people, both through MCSBC yellow of Eastern to the deep black of and MRC, some of whom have become our WAGS & Wales team. great friends of mine. I have been physically pushed to my limit especially when I did the Boston Rowing Marathon (48kms) last October in an eight with a fabulous group of ladies “It’s never too late” from MRC. We completed the course in 4 hours 28 minutes. “It’s never too late”, that well known I am now sculling with Mrs Cowton in a saying, well that is the story of my coxless quad with a group of mums of introduction to, and progress in, the sport of rowing! MCSBC athletes. We have entered a couple of events and had a brilliant time. It all started when my son came home Sometimes I do think when I am queued from school at the age of 13 and said “I up at the start in my crew with athletes am joining the rowing club”, it came that are at least 30(!) + years younger totally out of the blue. He started as a than me, what an earth I am doing and junior at MCS Boat Club (MCSBC) I am sure some of the youngsters and his enthusiasm and passion for the sport was infectious right from the off. I started going along to watch at events in wind, rain, sun, snow and sleet and cheer the athletes on. I then began to The location of the event could not have wonder if I could give it a go - it couldn’t been better as it had a clean and dry be that difficult, surely? landing stage and a big clubhouse open to all, with a café inside selling amazing My very first introduction to actually burgers. From a rower’s perspective it participating in the sport was at the was perfect. MCSBC Midsummer Regatta in June
47 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017
water with each stroke. I specifically remember one team’s boat which lifted out of the water as the crew took their first stroke. This was the first competition that David and I trialled our new ‘held’ race start and it was pretty awful even though we had worked on it in training. Our second race saw our start go much, much better. Throughout the middle bit of the race no teams seemed to tire. They were all keeping a
The racing ran smoothly throughout the the boats back was hard after such races, day and the event was well organised but the journey wasn’t far and adrenaline thanks to a great marshalling team and was high so nobody minded. was on time with very few delays. The rapid pace when most other crews would races were also very spread out and have started to fade and drop back. On After a hard day’s racing, everyone was allowed good timings for rest and food. the last stretch of the race, teams were glad to be on their way home, but there pushing even harder, even when it was still plenty of talk on the bus of the looked as if they had nothing left to give. day’s events and everyone had a story to When people crossed the finish line tell of their race. It was a great however, you could see the huge effort experience to go to, and be a part of, and they had put into the race as some just we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. My slumped in their seat or others were gasping next goal is to represent the school at the for air. No one came over the line with National Championships. any energy left in their bodies. Carrying Oliver Chilcott, Y10
The course itself was easy to steer and a safety boat followed each race to make sure there were no problems. The regions’ teams were mostly set out in their own area, but none were very far from the boating area and there were plenty of spaces to leave blades and other equipment down there.
The racing itself was tough. We didn’t realise how hard it would be until we were in the thick of it. All the rowers there were very technically good and very fast. Teams were literally flying off the start line and covering plenty of
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After we had finished our warm up laps around the buoys, I felt more in control and focused on my goal (to go out on the water and push myself to achieve the best I could) It came to lining up the boat which was fairly easy as we had practised this in training camp a few
My coach awarded me with my medal Winning my and it felt amazing to win, I was so proud first medal of my team and of myself. Now my goal is to impress my club in future races. I Winning a medal was a great have taken this from that day, that focus achievement for me as it made me feel and control is everything and to set goals that all of my hard work had paid off. It beforehand so you have an aim. now makes me determined to carry on days before. Our opponents pulled up and strive to become a better rower. On their boats next to us; I had a quick Millie Thomson, Y9 the day before the race I had eaten some glance round, just enough to decide how pasta for carbohydrates and the energy good they were. Before I knew it, we had Becoming a coach? they give. I went to bed early; it was hard started the race. My heart was beating National Junior Championships 2016, to sleep because I was both nervous and fast but I remembered to keep my Nottingham J18 2-A final, result, MCSBC excited. It was race day before long; I technique. I was in the moment and fifth. Not quite a medal, Marlow again! had already packed my bag the previous As we drank cold coke from the ice night so I was all set. I then made sure I cream van, refreshing our weary limbs had enough breakfast and had a banana and slightly sunburnt faces and watched milkshake for slow release energy. The the rest of the racing, we discussed our bus journey was fun with friends and I campaign for next season. Another go in was pumped for the day ahead. the pair? A quad for Henley Royal Regatta? The world was our oyster, and we felt invincible.
wanted to see how the other competitors were doing, however I kept my eyes and head in the boat to keep focus. We had won our first race, but we weren’t done yet. After this we did some more warm ups for our next race. The adrenalin had We arrived and the nerves kicked in kicked in and I was ready for the again because I was in one of the first off. “Attention… GO!” the marshals races. We worked together as a team to exclaimed, we were off. It was an intense When September came, we were slightly unload the boats and blades ready for struggle and it was only in the last three plumper, but I was now injured. A mystery our race. The time soon came and I had hundred metres that we overtook. We back injury had decided my fate, and I to take the boat down with my crew. I had won. had to refocus my aims. Rowing think we were all nervous. Next we had takes a lot of time and the boat checked over and placed it in focus in order to have the water, we had to wade in a little, but the chance of success, it the water was warmer than expected and is as frustrating as it made me more relaxed. The marshals is rewarding, but now were kind and helped push us out and I couldn’t even enjoy reassured our team that we were going to the frustrations! The do great. We were to do ‘greater’ than we solution I chose was to thought! swap my set of blades for a megaphone and become a coach. Coaching is very different from rowing; as a rower you’re used to spotting things that are wrong, as a coach
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Becoming a coach has not only made me Cara Hopgood, was a real eye-opener as think more about my rowing, but also to exactly how little I knew, and how how I communicate and organise. It has important it was to be able to react in the also allowed me to still take part in a right way. To put this into perspective, if a sport I adore and would sorely miss person is unconscious and not breathing, otherwise. It was also quite good fun! then they start to lose normal function in Harry Dalrymple, Club Captain their brain after only three minutes. Six minutes without oxygen, and the casualty can suffer some serious brain Ready to save lives damage. Knowing how to perform CPR you’ve got to be able to do something can quite literally save a person’s life. more productive than just stating what’s with Heartstart at The two hour session hosted at wrong. It may seem quite obvious, but in MCS Boat Club Monmouth Rowing Club was completely a sport where the majority of the As rowers, we see and experience a lot of free of charge, and for a few hours out of feedback comes from the boat itself, it aches and pains on a very regular basis: a day to learn how to save a life, I would can sometimes be tempting to do just we’re used to a few niggles that. You also need to understand what or bruises, but sometimes you’re coaching, sometimes as a rower it can be more serious. For you do something because it “feels example, what would you better”, but feeling good isn’t always do if you came into the moving fast. changing rooms after a To become a qualified coach, I did the tough session and found British Rowing Level 2 coaching course. your teammate unconscious To do this, first I had to do some basic on the floor? In my case I first aid, safe guarding, and learn how to panicked and rushed to see run a capsize and recovery test. After if she was okay, calling for doing the prerequisites, I was able to join help. She came round the course proper which involved two quite quickly and later it weekends at Saltford rowing centre near became clear that she was Bristol. The course comprised some suffering from heat stroke. But being in thoroughly recommend it to anyone, classroom learning as well as some that situation really scared me, as I’m whatever your age or ability. I learnt a lot practical hands-on coaching with the sure it would anyone. I thought it was from the course, as have 43 other fellow members of my course. It was probably time to get some first aid members of the club, and although I very useful, in that it made me think training, and when the opportunity to hope I never have to apply these skills about my coaching in a different way, take a Heartstart course came up, I again, I know that I will be fully prepared which helped me improve. jumped at the chance. if I need to. After all, simple skills save lives, so do take the opportunity to get To pass the qualification, I had to write Heartstart is an initiative run by the trained if you can! up, deliver and evaluate six linked British Heart Foundation to teach sessions, the final one being observed. members of the public what to do in a Cassie De St Croix, 11NJ This was surprisingly nerve-racking as life-threatening emergency, and I can tell everything I did was judged against you we learnt exactly that. Being taken For more information criteria, which included “dealing with through life saving procedures by our trainer, please go to www.bhf.org.uk inappropriate athlete behaviour”. I now had an irrational fear that something might kick off! Thankfully it didn’t, and I passed. However coaching, like rowing, is all about continuous learning. I may just be waiting for the certificate in the post, but I’m still learning how to do things better.
50 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Rowing: Latest News... Latest News...
we're sure more wins will follow very come first, the Y11 squad claimed six of Shrewsbury soon. In their first season of racing, the wins. Martha Waterstone and Regatta Amelie Baddeley, Alice Gandy, Holly Mia Boycott won their single sculls events Duncan, Grace Shields, Annabel Kohler- in great style, whilst Katie Kearsey and Mia Boycott (Y11) and James Guest Hoon, Emma Kay, Millie Thomson and Sophie Richards in their 4th placed (Y9) won their single sculls events. Mia Molly Jephcote won both divisions of the double scull from last year’s National has many wins in crew boats, but this Girls Y9 quadruple sculls beating schools Championships had a strong win. The was her first win in the ‘blue riband’ including Cheltenham College, Monkton boys (Tom Smith, Tom Heath, Rowan single scull. This was James’s first ever Combe School and Haberdashers Kohler-Hoon and Rob Williams) swept win in his first season of racing, after Monmouth School for Girls. Continuing the board for their age group winning showing great promise by making the their very strong form this season, Oliver the quadruple sculls, double sculls and final at Birmingham Regatta just two Chilcott and David Johnston (Y10) won single sculls. The Y10 girls quad repeated weeks before. their doubles event and Arwen van der their win from Bristol Avon Regatta, this Horst, Harriet Kearsey, Josie Harrison time against much stronger opposition Bristol Avon and Charlotte Heath won the Y10 Girls who pushed them hard. James Guest Regatta quadruple sculls coxed to a high won the Y9 single sculls with an assured standard by Milly Saunders (Y11). performance, whilst the final of the Y9 A day of firsts for many rowers at this Girls quadruple sculls was between our lovely event held at Saltford. Lewis Monmouth Regatta two crews and, after a titanic struggle, McNally (Y10) has worked hard in the Our home event and always one where the crew of Amelie Baddeley, Alice single scull over recent months and we look to put in a strong performance Gandy, Holly Duncan and Grace Shields claimed a great win. Daisy Hale and and give our whole squad the chance to came home ahead to claim the medals. Allison Dullforce (Y10) had their first race. With nine wins, it was a very good ever win after “oh so many” near misses. day indeed! Showing that rowing can Follow us on Twitter @MCSBC to It was a belated reward for many early mix with exams, when there is flexibility get the latest news and photos morning and after school sessions and in training and appreciation that exams from the Boat Club.
51 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Another year on 2015 was a year that was better than I had ever expected. A year of wins and becoming a multi-titled Welsh National Champion was something that I could never have imagined when I started my career as an athlete. I didn’t think that I could ever improve and top 2015, but 2016 proved to be a year unlike no other, and my best year yet.
The opening months of 2016 were time of 1:39:1, after sitting lower than gruelling and involved hard fitness, the medal rankings for most of the race. leaving me tired and with my body It is safe to say I snatched victory from aching most days (some things don’t the jaws of defeat and that with a strong Rowing Talent Development Squad, change!). Just what I needed to blow mindset, obstacles can be overcome. finally officially training and competing away the cobwebs of Christmas break After the euphoria of this event, my for my country. It is a privilege and an and start my year as I meant to go on. coach decided that it would be honour and the feeling that it gives me My summer regatta season was one of appropriate for me to head on to London never dies, even in the most gruelling of success, winning five trophies in local in December and compete in the British training sessions. It is a challenge I events, with every one taking multiple Indoor Rowing Championships in the always embrace and adore. Also during heats to win. These trophies came thick Olympic Park. Athletes travelled from all April, I attended an interview for The and fast, with me winning two in the first over the country to compete in this event Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship of Sport event of the season in Worcester, one in with competitors from even Greece and and a place on the Performance Squad at Hereford, and two in Bewdley. These Poland in attendance. We were told, Bristol University, the institution that I events came interspersed on weekends when in the competitor holding area, hope to further my education at; hoping between chaotic exam weeks, all with me that if we were to come within the to study anatomy in September 2017. on a full training programme throughout. ranking of the top 20 in these British Following a successful interview, I have With summer over, I moved into the events, we would be classed as among now been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s long winter season of hard training the best athletes in Britain. After being Scholarship of Sport and have also sessions, both on the river and within the told that, pressure mounted but I knew obtained a place on the prestigious and four walls of the rowing club gym. This I had to go out there and give it my season also saw local success, with wins all. With this in mind, I went out for me in Cardiff Autumn Head of the through the athlete tunnel onto the Taff and Monmouth Head (on my home competitive floor with ‘Eye of the Tiger’ course). Cardiff was an exciting event, blaring and LED lights flashing around winning by only two hundredths of a us as we walked in. In the Sixth Form second. Women’s 2K race, I came 18th out of 64 competitors - and came within the bracket of the best athletes in Britain. I topped this performance in the Sixth Form Open 500m event, ending up ranked seventh in the whole of GB. challenging Performance Squad. To say This was the most surreal, yet that I am overjoyed and delighted would phenomenal, experience in the whole of be an understatement. It is more than I my career so far. could ever have hoped for! Furthering this, on the 29th of January Onwards and upwards with lots of hard 2017, I attended Cardiff Head of the work to see what 2017 can bring! With It was then, after a hard and busy year so Taff, to compete in Women’s Elite hard work, you truly can get where you far, that the decision was made between singles, an ambitious event that is not want to go and achieve your dreams. usually attended by women of my age. my coach and I that I would return to the Hope Henry, 13BF Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships, I am proud to have won the Women’s Monmouth Rowing Club the prestigious event that I had first Elite singles title, in a time of 13:54 competed at in 2015. It turned out that minutes over a long and exhausting this was the right choice to make. I won 3,200m course. This is an achievement STOP PRESS: June Gold, and added a further Welsh that I did not expect, especially at this Hope has just competed at the National Championship title to my age or stage in my career. It is, however, prestigious Women’s Henley Regatta. locker, winning WJ18 2K in a personal events like all of these that my hard work Smashing her personal best she now best time of 7:25 minutes. I also achieved and tough training are dedicated towards . ranks between eighth and sixteenth a third in the country Bronze medal in In addition, during April 2017, I found internationally/worldwide with acutual the Women’s Open 500m category, in a out that I had become a part of the Welsh placings to be released soon.
52 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Design & Technology Work
Eve Jones Hannah Jones Chloe Phelps Elizabeth Widdicks
Lucy Howells Alice Hartley
Hermione Hopkins
Ellen Williams Alice Hancock Georgea Firstbrook
53 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Y7 Summer Learning
When I woke up the next morning, I remembered being the first to go to sleep but I still felt tired as the activities were exhausting. I went downstairs to see what was for breakfast and I realised that it was my favourite - bacon and egg - it was delicious! After my breakfast we went to the Briefing Room and found we were doing canoeing and stand up paddle-boarding. I got the correct clothing and went to the lake to do the water activities. We did SUPB first and, after the activity, I was drenched! It was the same with the canoeing session but I enjoyed the canoeing the most, as we got to work together as a team to steer the canoe around the gigantic lake. Back at the Centre, I was the first to go to sleep again! On the way back home I felt a little sad to leave but proud of what I had done. Overall, I think I gave all the activities the On the bus to Dolygear, I felt excited because this was the best shot I could and feel they really developed me as a person. first time I had been away with the school! It took us two Cameron Turner, 7PH hours to get there and when we arrived I was a bit disappointed because it was a bit smaller than I expected, but I was excited to see what they had to offer. We went into the Briefing Room where they introduced themselves and welcomed us to Dolygear. We got our bags and went to see our rooms, IT WAS TINY - but I’ve slept in worse! We left our bags and went back to the Briefing Room to see what we were doing for the rest of the day. It looked like we were going caving, so I went to get my spare clothing as they said that we would get wet. We then went to the store where we would get our equipment. When we arrived at the caves we completed activities such as the letterbox, the slide and a few other things. My favourite one was the white line challenge where I had to crawl through a tunnel with my hand on the white line at all times. Altogether my first day at Dolygear was amazing!! Three days of activities had finally passed and, after overcoming lots of challenges at Plas Pencelli, it was time to face my biggest challenge - caving. As I stepped into the cave the first thing I noticed was how the smell of stale stagnant water filled my nostrils and the stench of damp rocks filled the air. A few steps in and my attention was automatically drawn to the beautiful ‘crystals’ covering the rock above me. They glistened when my torch light shone on them; I don’t think a camera would have done it justice. I imagined what it would be like if I leant out and touched one of the crystals - maybe it would burst and gently drip down my finger, or it could do the complete opposite and my hand would plunge into a pool of dirty water.
54 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Y8 Summer Learning
As I stumbled down a pile of dirty rocks, the waterfall We discovered an interesting thing about the design of the crashing down ahead made it difficult for me to hear the architecture – the door handles were created to look like instructor. I pushed myself to get to the end of the small, musical instruments and the whole building was designed to narrow tunnel which was made even more difficult as a gush look like a ship although many people think it looks like a of hot, muddy air choked me. giant armadillo!! On Thursday, we finished and presented our Wonderful Welsh Weekend projects, where we organised a trip for Y6 pupils. Once we had completed our Powerpoints, leaflets and rehearsals, we presented our ideas to the rest of our Form before presenting to other Forms. In Y8 band, 8MD won overall, 8FD were 2nd and 8BT came third. On Friday, we all went walking in Wales. These walks consisted of the Skirrid, the Blorenge and Hatterall Ridge. When we got to the top of our mountain, we had lunch and then walked back down. After our walk, we visited a castle and met up with everyone who had completed the other walks.
Out of the darkness I saw a glimmer. Finally, daylight was Piper Whittington and Romy Dickson, 8BT near and I could end this dark nightmare. I’d never do it again, but am really glad that I pushed myself through the darkness and back into the light. Mia Matthews 7SS For our Summer Learning, we went to the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Whilst there, we had a VIP tour of the entire Centre and listened to a brief talk about the history and architecture of the Centre. We were also shown artefacts such as the key and the lock for the building. Before the Millennium Centre opened, this key and lock travelled across four continents to Patagonia, Australia, Russia, Germany France and the US. They returned to Cardiff, by boat, in time for the opening of the Centre, which the Queen attended.
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The Salters’ Institute Science Update Festival of Chemistry In March, our Year 7 students were invited to The Salters’ Institute Festival of Chemistry, HMSG to take part in a STEM competition run by which has been running for over 15 years, is an initiative of the Salters’ Institute, a See Science. See Science is committed to supporting not-for-profit organisation whose main STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and objective is to help promote the Mathematics) delivery across the whole of Wales appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst younger generations. to all schools, FE colleges and HE Institutions. The Cardiff University Festival is one of a The students learnt about forces, speed, acceleration, series of 51 Festivals which are taking place at Universities and Colleges gravity, electricity and circuits in a series of competitive throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland between March and practical activities. We had two teams of students June 2017. The festival is run in partnership with the Royal Society of competing and they give their views on the activities Chemistry. below. The festival is one of a number Mr Sinkowski of outreach events organised by Cardiff University’s School A group of us went to HMSG for a STEM competition. of Chemistry that aim to We split into seven groups for the activities, with two promote the field of chemistry groups from MCS. to younger generations and The first task was ‘Who can stack the cards the highest?’ encourage them to consider a where you had to build the tower as high as possible career in the STEM (science, from a pack of cards and 10cm of tape. technology, engineering and Most groups did it the way you would expect, using a maths) subjects. standard card stacking method, but our group did it a The MCS Science team (Joel Dube, Elizabeth Lane, Sophie Davies and different way. Our idea was to put three cards together Mason Rugan Hankey) had the opportunity to work in the university to form a triangle with sellotaped corners. We repeated labs, to undertake two lab based practicals and watch a ground- this six or seven times until there was no tape left. breaking display of 3D molecular modelling programmed by a The highest standard method tower reached 26cm but supercomputer. ours raised to 34cm and we won! Exemplary behaviour was shown throughout as students were We really loved our time at the workshop and would thoroughly engaged with the activities and showed proactive problem recommend it to anyone. solving towards the challenges. Ben McCluskey/Joel McCann 7LM Members of our class took part in the Science Fair MAT challenge. The main event was the marble run and the We have another Arkwright Scholar! aim was to see who could create a design which made the marble run down slowest. We had a set amount of MCS were delighted to have another Arkwright Scholar Y12 materials to use which made it much harder to complete. student, Will Steer-Rose. We decided to balance pieces of card on top of Arkwright Scholarships are triangular shaped card. The card balanced on top was prestigious awards given to lined with straws and pipe cleaners to keep the marble just a few hundred promising on the run and we supported the corners with extra card 16 year old students from to ensure the marble didn’t fall off. The hardest part of across the UK including top the challenge was to make the marble run slowly and get independent schools. The the slowest time – something you are rarely asked to do scheme identifies, inspires in a competition!! and nurtures future leaders in The challenge also required the marble to connect to a engineering and technical (as circuit at the end of the run and make a light bulb come opposed to aesthetic) design. on. We did this by placing a layer of tin foil slightly above They receive some money and links with a company, university or the unconnected circuit and, as the marble dropped into professional body. To be selected they must pass a competitive exam the cup, the foil was pressed down to act as a conductor and a rigorous interview. As a school, we have had at least one and the circuit was connected. successful applicant in each of the last five years. Former scholars of ours are currently studying at the Universities of Loughborough, We were really pleased to come second in this challenge. Cambridge and Imperial College London. Will is intent upon becoming We enjoyed the experience and would definitely do it a structural engineer and talked with one of the engineers building our again! new school before applying, as well as doing a project in a university Felicity Howell 7WM/Halle Unsworth 7LM Engineering Department for his Y11 work experience.
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Engineering Project to Locate People in Distress!
Every year, a group of Year 12 Physics students becomes involved in the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW). The school teams up with General Dynamics UK who give them a real engineering problem in October.
We needed a special radio receiver that specifications so that our part could be could detect weak signals over a wide integrated properly with theirs. Most of frequency range – a this was done at the two ‘Software Defined Radio’ day workshop at Cardiff which requires a Metropolitan University computer (Raspberry Pi) in December. Will Steer- and special software to Rose took the lead in analyse everything it designing a laser-cut case picks up. GDUK supplied for the processor and us with the one we How it all connects together producing drawings of At Cardiff Uni: Checking the selected as most cost- all the connections. connections and designing the case effective, along with strict rules about Bethan Allen worked on the 40 page what we were legally allowed to do with professional standard report and They then try to develop a solution by it! Jago Strong-Wright, embarked on a Reuben Blakeborough designed the March when they present it at a national very steep learning curve to master the displays to be printed by GDUK for our event alongside 70 other schools. The software, and after many weeks stand at the Awards Ceremony. company, as well as building vehicles for developing code and testing, with some the army, does a huge amount of work help from Josh Williams and a GDUK in the areas of communications and engineer, managed to make it pick up security. They are exploring the uses that test signals and indicate their strength. drones could be put to and asked us to This information was sent to the ground computer, along with the GPS coordinates of the receiver, so that it Our device mounted on the could be displayed drone and ready to fly! Specialist radio software on a map. The In March, our link engineer collected our drone operator device from school, and returned a few come up with ideas related to public could then ‘hunt’ for the strongest signal days later with it mounted on the £600 safety. We were very aware of the and home in on its source. drone. A busy few hours in the school drownings off our coast last summer GDUK agreed to bring a large drone to workshop trying to modify software did and this led us to think about people in school to test our device. We had to not quite get the air to ground trouble in all kinds of remote areas - how think about power, communications, communication link working perfectly, could they be located and helped more aerials, weight and size requirements. As but we had fun flying it on the school effectively? Often people will try to use a in many engineering projects a lot of fields! When walked rather than flown, mobile phone to call for help but find work had to be done defining which our part of the system worked well; there is no signal whilst other devices aspects were our responsibility, and GDUK said they were confident they with them might also inadvertently be which GDUK’s, and having very clear could fix their part and were keen to giving out radio signals. After much take on the idea and develop it. The discussion at GDUK’s headquarters and following week, the group gave their back at school we decided to design a presentation at the Swansea Liberty system that could detect a wide range of Stadium and had to explain their project radio and phone signals, from a drone or to many interested visitors to the stand. balloon, (high up to ‘see over’ It was hard work, over several months, mountains and cliffs), and help locate but gave the team a flavour of real life the victims. professional engineering.
At Cardiff Uni: Writing the software A small sample of code Airborne at last!
57 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017
Bonjour Mickey
At 5.45am, on a still-dark, cold Sunday morning, 52 excited students set off from Monmouth, heading to Paris. After a long journey by coach, we were all desperate for our first glimpse of the ‘Magic of Disney’.
We were duly rewarded with a delicious eventually retire to our beds after such a raring to go for the action-packed day meal in Planet Hollywood, surrounded by long day. ahead. We began with a breath-taking boat impressive film memorabilia, and a chance Our first full day in Paris began with an trip down the River Seine, allowing us to to visit Disney village, but we were glad to early French buffet breakfast, leaving us all view the stunning sights of interest that
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make Paris such a magnificent city. This was followed by a trip up Disney merchandise and a sea of Minnie Mouse ears to watch the the Eiffel Tower. Being 276m above the ground is definitely not for much anticipated firework show which was accompanied by a the faint-hearted but even those with a fear of heights and wobbly compilation of knees made it up to the top to witness the unforgettable view across Disney characters the city. Our coach driver was extremely knowledgeable about Paris being projected upon the castle. Our second day in Disney was spent experiencing the magic of Disney in between engaging and informative lectures. The lectures provided us with knowledge about the maths and physics used in the designing of these thrilling rides and reinforced essential maths skills. We even got the chance to design our own rollercoaster using the information that we learnt earlier. This allowed us to ensure that we fully understood the morning’s lectures. Between these lectures, we explored the multiple parks and went on a variety of exhilarating rides, including Big Thunder Mountain and the infamous Tower of Terror - a ride that drops you an unprecedented 199ft with a haunting backstory. We had the freedom to explore the parks ourselves but this came with the responsibility of keeping in group sizes of at least three and regularly checking in with the teachers. In addition, the afternoon’s parade was a magnificent sight. The streets were lined with people and the most popular characters came by, singing and dancing in the true spirit of Disney. We ended the day with a Western themed buffet inspired by Woody from Toy Story, we never knew we could eat so much! On our final day we took one last trip to the Disney village to ensure that we hadn’t missed anything in the souvenir shops and hadn’t forgotten to get a gift for our family members, to apologise for and its fascinating history, and with our feet back safely on terra having such a firma, he was able to give us a tour of the most iconic sites of Paris good time! such as the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. The After scouring Arc de Triomphe is at the centre of an impressive roundabout, with the shops and eight lanes of chaotic traffic circling around the magnificent taking photos structure, a challenge for even the most confident driver. Our driver in front of the manoeuvred it with ease, unlike the two French drivers that came to iconic Mickey blows, first in their cars and then verbally, as witnessed from the and Minnie coach. Later that day we had the chance to visit the Disneyland Mouse statues, we sadly headed off on our journey back to Britain. theme park and experience the rides for the first time and, after Though disappointed to be leaving the magical resort, we were all eating at King Ludwig’s castle, we were able to visit the Disney looking forward to seeing our families again and telling them about shops to spend our already diminishing supply of money. How our amazing experience. much Disney-themed merchandise can you fit in a small case? (turns out, quite a bit!) At eight o’clock we eagerly gathered Emily Brown, Matylda Anstice and together in front of the signature Disney castle with our arms full of Beth Kinniment-Williams, Y11
59 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Dobrý den I started water polo at Abergavenny Leisure Centre when I was nine. I was completing my swim Stages 1-7 and was stuck in the dreaded Stage 5 when the Leisure Centre began running a mini polo session at the same time. From my vantage I still continue to train in Hereford and play for Worcester as point in the shallow well as Newport and Wales U18s. This means a training end of the pool I schedule that involves two swim sets, five training sessions and would watch the up to three matches each week, travelling between older boys and girls Carmarthen, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Hereford for seemingly having training and across Wales, the Midlands and the South of far more fun than England for League matches. me and this inspired Water polo is one of the roughest sports as it is very physical me to dig deep and on and off the ball. A lot of wrestling goes on under the water complete my away from the referee’s gaze. It is a very physically demanding remaining levels so sport as you are swimming up and down the pool with no that I could join them. I played a few friendlies and shallow end for an tournaments with the Abergavenny team before the funding hour per match. was cut and the sessions finished. The teams are Looking around for nearby teams was problematic as water made up of 13 polo was a niche sport and teams were few and far between. players, the starting Collectively, some Abergavenny players defected across the seven and six border into England to Hereford and I joined their mini polo substitutes. Water team organised by the Halo Leisure Group. This team grew in Polo players need to age, size and number until recognised by the Swim Club and have exceptional Amateur Swimming Association and Hereford Water Polo fitness to tread Club reformed after an absence of more than twenty years. water for extended periods without using their hands, swim in From there I joined Worcester and played in the Midlands short intense bursts and constantly change direction, palm off League for two seasons, captaining Worcester in my final opponents, and pass and shoot at goal under fatigue. In an season, before moving on to Senior level. average one hour match, they can swim up to four kilometres (2 - 3 miles). Each team is only allowed to hold onto the ball When I was 13, I started going to Wales training in Cardiff and for a maximum of 30 seconds before shooting for the goal. If last year I was selected to play for Wales in the 2016 Youth they haven’t done this then possession passes to the other Boys Squad for the Inter-Regional Competition at Millfield team. School, where we beat Scotland, East England and North England. So far this year I have been selected for the Welsh Overall it is a very addictive and fun sport to play, but if you U18 team to play at Inter Regionals in London and in the EU don’t get bruises or scratches by the end of a game you’re Nations Cup in Brno, Czech Republic, where I was Man of probably not playing it right! the Match against Finland. Ollie Chilcott, 10VE
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Vocational Learning What a two years it has been for the Vocational Group at MCS! Having started their placements with new college providers it is fair to say that they have embraced all the new opportunities and experiences, and worked together to overcome the challenges presented by the different learning environments.
enthusiastic tutor, have seen them all confidently achieve their Level 1 Animal Care qualification. As testament to the course, Courtney Croudace, Joshua Butcher, Connor challenging start, going from school Ramboux and Samba Tack have all aged just 14 years into a professional, chosen to continue on the animal care commercial environment. I am pleased pathway on leaving school. to say that, with the support of ISA tutors, and excellent salon links, every one of them has successfully completed their qualification and should be proud of their achievements and the invaluable skills they have learned. However, you do not have to take my word for it - here are the students own The students have, over the two years, words. grown together as a tight knit group, and worked together to overcome “I liked the practical work. Having met challenges and achieve success. new friends and new people I feel As their vocational mentor, it has been more confident”. a pleasure watching them develop into Owen Craddock, Construction the confident young people they have “The part I enjoyed the most was the become. practical work because it was fun. This In animal care at Greenmeadow Coleg QS provided our construction college placement has helped me get Community Farm, a very enthusiastic qualification this year. I am proud to stuck in and not just stand by and group of students, coupled with a very say that all students there achieved watch someone else do it. If I could do their Level One qualification. A big the college placement again I would”. well done to George Burnett, Connor Ramboux, Animal Care Oliver Bennett, Owen Craddock and “I have liked being part of the Warren Brown for their determination vocational group. It is a very supportive and perseverance in working towards group - like being part of a family”. their Level 2 qualification. Illyana Watkins, For the students on the Hairdressing Hairdressing and Barbering and Barbering pathway it was a Mrs K Davies-Maddocks
61 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Charity Matters After another fun summer, the Charity Committee came back to school with a hurdle to overcome; the long walk from the main buildings to the Phoenix block! With this hindering break-time meetings, we expected the year to be difficult and feared we may not be as successful as in previous years. However, as the year draws to a close we can, once again, reflect on a hugely positive year of fundraising, fun and the community coming together.
minutes of them going on sale! This saw our biggest total to date, with over £1600 raised. This was the first event where we added the option of paying on ParentPay, something we shall continue with into the future as it significantly increased our success. Thank you to all parents who used this facility to donate. December saw the Charity Committee start to feel Christmassy and excited about giving presents not only to our friends and family but also to the young children around the world who have little to open on Christmas morning, as part of Operation Christmas Child. This was also another great success for the Charity Committee, as many of you gave generously and created some amazing gifts. The last In September the Charity committee was quick to launch into day of that term was our second non-school uniform day of action with two events – Macmillan Coffee Morning and the the year, with a Christmas Jumper theme that allowed the start of the Harvest collection. The Coffee Morning saw our whole school to get into the Christmas spirit. This money was Committee come together and create some incredible bakes. raised to support our chosen Christmas Charity this year, The event was well supported by staff and students and we UNHCR. They ran a campaign for refugee children who were raised a good total to support individuals and families not safe at Christmas, providing essential items to support touched by cancer. them during a difficult period in their lives. During October, Form rooms turned into small supermarkets, Christmas was over too quickly and we were back hitting the which could only mean one thing… the school community books and thinking about our next event, Comic Relief. This was working together to provide our local food bank with year we followed the trend of the nation #bakeamillion, this tins and tins of food. Thanks to your support, we were able involved incorporating Maltesers into bakes, so that to give generously to Monmouth Food Bank, who were Maltesers were able to raise £1m for thrilled with all your kind donations. Comic Relief. We were overwhelmed Our Monday break time meetings were soon getting bigger, by the fantastic number of cakes with more members of the student body being interested in provided by the students and parents what we had already achieved and doing their bit for charity. of MCS, who inundated us with more New members were just in time to help plan for one of our bakes than ever before. Again we biggest events of the year – Children in Need. surpassed our £1000 target. Children in Need was the first non-school uniform day of the For our final fundraising day, we held year. Our spotted theme went down a treat with our fellow a crazy sock day and a bake sale. We students, who walked into school on Friday 18th November had fabulous help from our Year 10 completely covered. The school went spotty for the day, as GCSE catering students who provided a range of pizzas and our ‘Spot the Spot’ treasure hunt had students searching cakes and helped us to raise over £400. This money was split high and low around MCS for the ten spots. The lucky between two organisations. For the second year running we winner received a hamper of sweets! The cake sale was a supported Cricket Without Boundaries which is a charity that success with all the cakes being scoffed within the first 15 works in Africa to coach sport and educate communities on
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HIV and AIDS. It is a charity close to our hearts and we were pleased to support them once again. We also raised funds for an ex-student, Ani Steele, who is travelling to Zambia this summer to complete similar valuable work in the community as part of a scheme run by her university in Edinburgh. It is inspiring to see that students leave us and continue their charitable work in their higher education institutions. I have really enjoyed my time on the Charity Committee and I can’t believe the amount of support and generosity the school has, for not only the local community but also for the rest of the world. There have been some incredible highlights of you for donating to all these amazing causes we are in the last few years supporting. and I will miss being a part of this team. I will As a student-led Committee I would just like to take this time miss running around to thank everyone for making this year a success and for like a headless chicken working so hard to be able to achieve what we have over the to make sure that last year. Although I am sad to say goodbye to the teachers don’t lose Committee, I would like to wish everyone good luck in their their voice during future fundraising and would also like to take this parents’ evenings, and opportunity to invite any student who would like to join the spending hours upon hours counting what feels like an Charity Committee in September 2017, to come along to the endless amount of money. From everyone in the Charity next meeting. We meet every Monday break time in Room 70. Committee, we would like to say a massive thank you to all Eloise Grundy, 13CC
63 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Real Madrid Football Tour
On the 8th of April in the early hours of a Saturday morning a bus full of talented footballers were about to set off to Madrid, Spain.
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Dan Jones, John Dunkley and Callum Wood - MoM Callum Wood. This put the pressure on the Seniors and it was looking doubtful at 0-0 with five minutes to go when Sean Swann found the net making it a 1-0 win - MoM Kieran Knight. A 100% win record so far! We ended the day with a stadium tour of the Santiago Bernabéu and museum where we saw all the history of the club players, the trophies, and the stadium. Next day was the first day of training, and a much earlier morning We were engaged in the chance of a lifetime, so everyone could be organised into experiencing a week using the Real Madrid groups. Even the ride to the training facilities. After all the goodbyes were said, the facility was incredible and seeing the long journey started as we were flying out from training ground where professional Heathrow. Once we were on the plane it was a players train was amazing. We all short flight until we were in the Spanish capital wanted to impress the coaches on the of Madrid and, following a quick stop at the first day so it was a very intense first hotel to change, we were back out to Real training session as the training quality Madrid Stadium. We were fortunate enough was very high. We learnt all sorts of to have tickets to watch two new skills and style of of the best teams in the play. world play - the local derby, Afterwards we had to Atletico Madrid against transfer to our second Real Madrid. As we entered game of the trip the humongous stadium and the Y8s played most of us were dead on first, hoping to our feet but seeing and keep the winning feeling the atmosphere flow. It was a of the Santiago Bernabéu difficult challenge had us buzzing with but they played excitement. With no score incredibly well, after 45 minutes, the giving an second half saw both teams unbelievable going up a gear with a performance. headed goal in the 54th Sadly it was a 3-0 loss but it minute from Pepe of Real Madrid. With could have been far worse Atletico fighting for a sight at goal, sadly for without MoM Lucas Smith. Real Madrid, Griezmann (Atletico) scored a As the Seniors played their goal five minutes from the final whistle to game (losing 3-1), the Year make it a 1-1 draw. We all went home thrilled 9/10s had to leave as their to have seen a great game but it must be said fixture was at a different we were all delighted to get back to the hotel to venue where they faced an have a good night’s sleep. even tougher challenge. Our first full day started with a lie-in so we They were playing a team enjoyed sunny Spain. It was game day for all five years older than them age groups with the Y8 playing first. They but they still gave a mighty ramped up the atmosphere with a 1-0 win, performance even though getting the day off to a good start - MoM was they suffered a 6-0 loss – Ben Scotford. The Year 9/10 team also won time to call it a day! MoM with a 3-1 victory which included goals from was Ben Drinkhall.
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The following day was another tough 2016 Premier League winners Leicester one, this time in the shape and form City who were preparing for their of a double training session as both upcoming Champion League game seniors and younger age groups all against Real Madrid rivals Atletico worked on shooting and set pieces Madrid. As we prepared for our last but it was another enjoyable match of the tour, we split our teams training session. When we got into two to create a Monmouth v back to the hotel we had leisure Monmouth game. The junior teams time in readiness for our evening were captained by Dan Brain (the entertainment – a trip to a nearby Brainiacs) and Callum Wood (the Wood bowling centre which brought the Choppers) and the senior teams by day to an enjoyable end. Kieran Knight (the White Knights) and As the last day of our training Will Powell (the Powell Dancers). The at Valdebedas training facility junior game was a win of 4-2 to the commenced, we all put 100% effort Brainiacs and the senior game 4-3 to the in and, as we trained so hard, we White Knights. After the incredible needed a hard-earned lunch! As a games, we looked around and found tour bonus we saw, and even got to more information about the training meet, some of the players from the facility we had been using.
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Before we travelled home there were a few award winners of our grand tour to be handed out. The Y8 Player of the Tour was Luca Smith for his incredible goalkeeping talent and Ben Drinkhall was the Year 9/10 Player of the Tour. Kieran Knight was awarded the accolade for his playing skills for the seniors. Sometimes you need someone who makes the tour that little bit more interesting though and, for his banter on the bus, the top tourist was:... Robbie Atkinson. We all knew the tour would be nothing without the man who arranged this trip of a lifetime for all of us - Mr. Michael - so we all chipped in to get him his own Real Madrid t-shirt with his name printed on the back. Sadly, all that was left for us to do was to travel home. Thanks should also go to all the teachers for allowing us to have this opportunity and showing us their true personality outside the classroom. But for myself, reflecting on this magnificent trip, there was no downside as we were all so lucky to be allowed this fantastic experience and I, and hopefully others, have also learnt many things to help us with our football. Hayden Morris, 9RT
67 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 New York, New York…. Gwent Music has, and has had, a special place in the hearts of so many students who come through Monmouth Comprehensive School. As well as music tuition (for me personally from Y5 to grade 8 in Y12), Gwent Music offers the incredible opportunity to play in the county bands.
The Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra, directed by Sean O’Neill, is one of these bands and as a part of World Projects International Music Festival, we had the chance of a lifetime to play in the world famous Carnegie Hall, New York! It didn’t hit me how incredible this opportunity was until I was actually in New York itself; walking along Broadway, eating breakfast at a diner and going up the Rockefeller Centre to see the River Hudson, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building spread out before us - lots of selfies! On the sunniest day of the week we were performing in the Naumberg Bandshell in Central Park, playing ‘New York, New York’, ‘Trumpets Wild’ and ‘An American Tale’ medley to the waving of Welsh flags held by family who’d come to Carnegie Hall Dress Rehearsal/ Sound Check support us, and many locals and tourists out enjoying the as this and I hope will continue to do so for Monmouth Spring sunshine. However, the experience of Carnegie was Comprehensive School students for a long time to come. the highlight of the trip; listening to groups from all over America (and one from Australia) play in the afternoon Hannah Pope, Y13 before taking to the stage ourselves in the evening. By far, my favourite piece was ‘Seren Wen’, ‘White Star’, written specifically for the Orchestra and the internationally renowned Welsh Euphonium Virtuoso David Childs who performed with us that evening. As Mr O’Neill told us, we had just followed in the footsteps of the greats - from Tchaikovsky to Frank Sinatra to the Rolling Stones! And it was made possible by Gwent Music which, despite cuts in funding, continues to provide young musicians across Gwent with life changing experiences such
Hannah Pope, Jess Netherway and Florence Mayo (all MCS alumni) at the Central Band Stand, Central Park.
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Chartwells - in partnership with Monmouth Comprehensive School Chartwells are the UK’s leading provider of quality catering services to the education sector and are proud to work in partnership with Monmouth Comprehensive School, providing the catering services for all students and staff.
During the last academic year we launched a brand new lunch sweet tooth in all of us! A range of school compliant beverages offer which has been positively received by students and staff are available throughout the whole school day. A daily tea alike. Naturally, the menu is fully compliant to The Healthy service is also available for all students and staff to be able to Eating in School’s Food Standards for Wales, but takes the drop in after school, whether it’s to ‘grab’ something to eat on humble school lunch to the next level. Our menus are designed their way home or to keep them energised for after-school to offer more choice across the whole menu. With a good clubs. variety available on a daily basis and ‘more of what I like’, the Added Value for students is important to us. Our nutritionist menus are available to view on the school website. has visited the school and provided a ‘Health Stall’ along with Our daily menus allow students to mix and match from a a smoothie bike session for the students, suppliers have variety of sides, rather than fixed vegetable and carbohydrate provided student engagement with taster sessions and we have choices. We also provide a wide range of ‘Grab and Go’ items, our very own ‘Putting Fun into Food’ Chefs who provide such as pizzas, burritos, pasta and sauce and jacket potatoes excellent events and cooking competitions for the students and with a variety of toppings. We know how important ‘Grab and staff. Go’ items are but we would really like you to try our hot meals - excellent value and packed with the right balance of nutrients Last, but not least, we know how important value for money to keep you going for the rest of the afternoon. is. Our range of 55p snack items include fruit pots, toasted bagels, cheese on toast, pancakes and potato wedges. A main To complement our food offer, we also provide a daily choice meal and dessert can be purchased for just £1.75p, I am sure of breakfast offers – cereals are available along with a variety you will agree this is exceptional value! of breads to toast and a selection of hot cooked breakfast items. A ‘Choose your own Salad and Fruit Bar’ is available at We continue to be really proud of the food we provide to mid-morning break, lunch and tea and school compliant cakes students on a daily basis, and can’t wait to continue to surprise and bakes are available at lunchtime to be able to satisfy the and delight students with this new menu.
69 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Italy Ski Trip
The Journey
New Friends
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The Food
The Entertainment
71 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Music at MCS It has been another busy year for musicians at MCS. It is always fantastic to look back, reflect on and celebrate the many successes of our music students inside and outside school.
The academic year kicked off with our Y12 went to Overmonnow Primary as school Awards’ Evening with musical part of the school's Arts week and led interludes from the school choir music workshops, working mostly on performing ‘Photograph’ by Ed Sheeran, vocal work. The students received the our folk group ‘Highly Strung’ and highest praise from staff and students, so another item provided by Gracie Follows much so that they were invited back and Bronwen Davies, piano and vocals. whenever they were free to lead another The Mayor's Spectacular held at The session. Well done to Harri Archer, Savoy was a great success in October Henry Damon, Pippa Morgan and when ‘Highly Strung’, Bronwen and Lucinda Merrett. Christmas was soon approaching and it Gracie, along with our Y9 Drama group It was a moving moment when, whilst was time for the annual Christmas (performing their Aberfan devised commemorating Armistice Day, the Procession through the town, piece), performed alongside many local school fell silent and Henry Damon accompanying Father Christmas and his Monmouth groups in aid of the Mayor's played the ‘Last Post’ to the school. sleigh. The evening was a great success charity. It was fantastic to see so many of Well done to Henry for this and well and our brass players did a fantastic job our students performing with the Girl done for the other Remembrance marching and playing carols whilst Guides, Scouts and Youth Theatre ceremonies locally at which he and other the singers sang along. Well done to groups at this event. brass players performed. Alasdair Woodward, Alina Lashford, In November, 24 Y10 students and some Harri Williams, Katie Mapp, Hannah of our Sixth Formers took part in the Wasacre Pope, Ted Rawlins and Harri Archer. Schools’ Proms in the Royal Albert Hall The school were invited to perform as part of Music for Youth. This was a music at the County RE teachers’ fantastic experience where students conference at County Hall Usk. Our performed in a massed choir of 400 lower school string ensemble put alongside a combined ensemble of together an entertaining lunchtime Gwent musicians, featuring orchestra, set for the audience to enjoy. Well percussion, jazz orchestra and beat done to the group’s members - Bethany boxing musicians. There were also a Piper, Casey Kwok, Oliver Riba Fooks, number of MCS musicians performing Ischia Day, Alice Barrell and within the instrumental ensemble. Heidi Walliman.
Congratulations to all those who took part: Harri Archer, Eliza Mayo, Bethany Piper, Ollie Chilcott, Alex Beddoes, Bethan Carlton, Anna Crossley, Joseph Curtis, Joss Das Gupta, Briony De Witt, Star Fellowes, Archie Goodridge, Daisy Hale, Molly Hole, James Hopgood, Scott Jackson, Benjamin Jones, Callum Jones, Katie Mapp, Eloise Moreby, Josh Morgan, Lucy Powell, Joe Ridgway, Sam Robinson, Jude-Ray Weaving and Molly Williams.
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The annual Carol Service was a particular highlight for the School groups were – Orchestra, Choir, Senior Vocals, Highly school, the evening full of wonderful moments that left everyone Strung, Jazz group – The Accidentals, Chamber Strings, excited for Christmas. Performances came from school Percussion Ensemble, Lower Brass Ensemble. orchestra, percussion ensemble, senior, junior and gospel choir. Well done to all performers and readers for your excellence, Easter trip to New York focus and delivery. During the Easter Holidays the Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra set off on the much anticipated trip to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of a prestigious Wind Band Festival. The group performed a world premiere alongside David Childs as soloist. This was an incredible trip that will not be forgotten.
Music for Youth On the 24th March, 60 students and staff set off to Newport to perform in the Newport Regional round for Music for Youth. Well done to Harri Archer (Trombone) and Hannah Pope Many students performed for music centre and county (Baritone) as well as ex-students now at university or further ensembles as well as our school groups. Our musicians put on education – Flo Mayo, Natasha Chandra, Emily Harris, some fantastic performances and the feedback was brilliant. Louisa Hasler and Jess Netherway.
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The next round - Presentation Ceremony National Festival of Music for Youth Birmingham Our Y11 presentation ceremony was a wonderful occasion and our musicians provided two really appropriate performances. See You Again was performed by Ella James and the Senior Vocal Ensemble – Gabby Doody, Henry Damon, Josh Morgan, Harri Archer, Sophie Pope and Molly Hole. The second performance was Everglow by Coldplay and this performance was the perfect end to the presentations. Well done to GCSE students, Rhys Mason, Luke Rogers, Gracie Follows, Grace Chadwick, Bronwen Davies, Millie Elsmore, Tristan Nicholas, Cameron Pardington and Anna Moore.
Our school folk group ‘Highly Strung’ was invited We would like to the next round of Music for Youth and performed at the to thank all our CBSO Centre on 7 July - well done Bethany Piper, Cassie parents for De St. Croix and Eliza Mayo, - a fantastic achievement, two their support years running!! this academic year and every Well Done year. A ‘well done’ must go to our musicians who will also perform at Instrumental Birmingham as part of county ensembles. Hannah Pope, Harri music lessons Archer - Gwent Youth Brass Band, Lucy Merrett, Harri Archer are available at - Gwent Youth Choir, Eliza Mayo - Isca Linea String Symphonia. school through- out the academic year, if you would like any information please The Monmouthshire County Council Chairman's Charity email [email protected]. For regular music Concert on Friday 31st March was a brilliant concert at which updates please follow us on twitter @MusicMcs to be invited to perform. The concert featured North Monmouthshire Music Centre ensembles, King Henry VIII, MCS, community ensembles and the North Mon cluster choir who performed #Connect as had been performed in the Royal Albert Hall. The school choir and The Accidentals were invited to perform their set from MFY and both received great appreciation from the audience.
European Youth Brass Band An ex-student Samantha Ford (left on above photo) was one of four selected Welsh representatives on the European Youth Brass Band in Belgium this May. Blake Concert - Claire Jones On Saturday 6th May, Mike Slack, Heidi Walliman, Jacob Deighton, Ollie Chilcott and Harri Archer performed as part of a collaborative concert with Claire Jones (former Royal Harpist). The concert was a great success and our students were a credit to school. Well done.
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Music Gradings Grade One Molly Bradley Theory Distinction Keris McShane Theory Merit Sophie Saunders Flute Cara Natt Clarinet Jacob Deighton Trinity Rock and Pop Drums Distinction Tannika Hawken Piano Kezia McCann Trinity Rock and Pop Distinction Theo McCann Trinity Rock and Pop Merit Arran Oakley Rock School Merit Alexander Bolster Piano Grade Two Aafke Sluiter Theory Merit Drama at MCS Margy Farmer-Kindell Theory Merit Lauren Tagg Clarinet To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Joe Arnold Trinity Rock and Pop Distinction Aberfan Disaster, a drama piece was created Ava Evans Piano by Y8 students Kate Murphy, Josie James, Toby Evans Piano Harri Phillips Piano Maisie Watkins, India-Mae Harris, Keeley Grade Three Scoles and Romy Dickson. Henry Rawlings Flute Merit This moving piece was first Jamie Brine Trinity Rock and Pop Merit performed at the Summer Beth Crossley Clarinet Merit Showcase in July 2016 in Noah Ryder Trinity Rock and Pop Distinction front of parents and invited Sophia Fenby Violin guests. The Mayor was so Lucy Powell Violin Piper Whittington Piano moved and impressed that he requested the group perform Grade Four at The Mayor’s Showcase at Rebecca King Musical Theatre Rhys Walters Trinity Rock and Pop Merit The Savoy in October. Millie Malsom Violin/Viola Gracie Follows (Y11) and Heidi Walliman Double Bass Josh Morgan (Y10) took a Alasdair Woodward Trombone Distinction break from classroom drama Imogen Allen Musical Theatre Distinction and created a ‘Street Theatre’ Grade Five styled piece for the Summer Taryn Birkett Flute Showcase. ‘The Return of Aronwyn Evans Flute Merit the Great Houdini’ was very well received by all, showing great Aronwyn Evans Saxophone comedic timing by both characters. Margy Farmer-Kindell Flute Merit Annie Porter Musical Theatre Distinction Aafke Sluiter Flute Daisy Lester Violin/Viola Casey Kwok Violin/Viola Oliver Riba Fookes Cello Grade Six Anna Moore Flute Alex Fielding Cello Grade Seven Bronwen Davies Flute Merit Grade Eight Pippa Morgan Alto Sax Distinction Oliver Chilcott Violin Distinction Joe Curtis Piano Performance Certificate Alice Barrell Violin/Viola
75 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Der Grüffelo Y12 German students supported Osbaston Y5 pupils learning German in an exciting transition project. MCS students visited Y5 pupils to deliver some introductory lessons in German and rehearse Der Grüffelo to perform in front of the author Julia Donaldson on May 25th. The event was a collaborative project involving another comprehensive and a primary school in the area. The project was sponsored by the Goethe Institute, and supported by ALL ( Association of Language Learning), to promote the importance of learning German and languages. Y5 students gave vibrant performances of the Gruffalo in German in front of keen linguist, Julia Donaldson, who then performed The Gruffalo herself in five different languages. Students then had the opportunity to ask questions, followed by a Gruffalo themed lunch at Osbaston. Julia was very pleased with the enthusiasm of the students and how her stories inspired pupils to try out a new language. None of this would have been possible without the collaboration and overwhelming enthusiasm of Y12 German students, Y5 Osbaston pupils and the Y5 teachers, who rehearsed their performance every day. The project successfully demonstrated a passion for language learning amongst students, whilst simultaneously creating positive relationships between students. We are very proud of them all. We hope to continue transition projects next year. Miss Snook, MFL Faculty Leader Student Design & Technology Work
Amelia Kennedy
Rowan James Jonathan Hilton
76 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 The Friends Association
The MCS Friends Association provides a valuable link between home and school. Its work actively contributes to the life of every student, not only by raising funds but also by harnessing members’ enthusiasm, skills and experience for the good of all. It also aims to support parents and encourage a sense of community.
One of our objectives is to fund items that are beyond the scope of the school's budget. This year the Friends helped to fund TalktheTalk workshops undertaken by Y10 to build their confidence and speaking and presentation skills in preparation for elements of the new GCSE English Language qualification. We also helped to fund the purchase of ‘reader pens’ for students who have good comprehension skills, but for whom decoding whilst reading is a barrier. They will now have better opportunities to fulfill their potential in examinations assessing their ability to read (i.e. English GCSE).
First Aid Courses The FA has long aimed to establish regular First Aid courses for students and their families. Through Heartstart Monmouthshire, we are The Association regularly supports the running sessions every term. Since we started over 100 students and Charity Committee’s fundraising bake parents have received training. This British Heart Foundation initiative sales and provides cakes and refreshments aims to teach Emergency Life Support Skills to as many people as for the pupils' annual Summer Showcase. possible. Courses are free and available to anyone aged 10 years and over.
Fundraising Last Autumn, the Friends ran a very successful Pop Quiz (lots of fun and over £500 raised) and we hope to run another this coming Autumn to welcome new (and old) families to the school. There is also an annual Summer Draw which last year raised over £800. Easyfundraising raises £100s every year (see the box above to find out how to sign up) and the sale of second-hand uniform has also been a great fundraiser - amazing considering items are sold for only a few pounds. Waitrose regularly supports the Friends through their green token Community Matters scheme.
The Friends Association Second Hand Uniform All parents, guardians, teaching staff, non-teaching staff and governors We are pleased to be able to offer parents are automatically members of the Friends Association, which provides an the opportunity to buy good-quality informal, friendly but very direct way for parents and friends to support second-hand uniform. This is extremely the school. Please consider getting involved, in whatever way you can. If popular and we struggle to keep up with you can’t attend meetings (held once every half-term), there are many demand! We welcome all contributions other ways to support the Friends. It really will make a difference. We look of uniform, which may be dropped off at forward to welcoming you and your ideas. the school Reception.
77 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Out of School Achievements We are delighted to give you even more pages this year, detailing the exploits of our students outside school, sent in by justifiably proud parents. As you will see, these achievements cover a wide range of activities - we have some very busy students!
Ffion Young (11LM) completed the Tillie also took part in the U13 Open in Drybrook U13 girls, who recently came Moonwalk Challenge for breast cancer and, Cheltenham, where she won medals second out of 18 in a tournament held together with her mum, raised £1149.88. in every event gaining two Golds, two at Peterborough, billed as the largest A very proud Mum said “I was diagnosed Silvers and a Bronze. She was part of the tournament of girls rugby in Europe. with breast cancer last year and Ffion has club team that finished first in the Ischia Day performed in the River Festival been a constant support throughout. Gloucestershire Sportshall League in the grand finale at the Chepstow She proved to be amazingly stoic during and came second in the individual Racecourse playing cymbals and the challenge and I can't thank her competition missing first by one point. bodhran in a new composition by her enough for being there for me”. This led to her representing mother, Fiona Frank, called "Waters of There was Track and Field success for Gloucestershire in the SW the Wye" for violin and percussion. Championships in Torquay. Tillie also set Tillie Westwood, Maddie Francis (7PH) Tristan Nicholas (10LG) gained his blue a new school record in Javelin during and Cameron Francis (7RW), competing belt in Tae Kwondo in June 2016. against Cheltenham and Gloucester. sports day. AS student Elliott Kramer was engaged Maddie won 2 Golds and 3 Bronze and Tillie finished 2016 with nine different on a freelance basis by a local website Cameron won 3 Golds. UK rankings: 75m - 767th, 70mH - designer (in his spare time when he’s 356th, High Jump - 224th, Long Jump - Well done Tillie, Maddie and Cameron - not at school!). She said “Elliott’s 680th, Shot (indoor) - 62nd, Shot - a brilliant achievement. photography and film work is superb 295th, Discus - 49th, Hammer - 21st and Tillie Westwood (8PH) has continued to and he has delighted me and my clients Javelin -12th. compete in numerous sports outside with his professionalism and manners as school. So far, in 2017, Tillie has achieved three well as his talent and skills” adding “He UK Rankings in Hammer (60th), Javelin She competes for Forest of Dean Athletic is a credit to MCS!” (26th) and Discus (100th) despite having Club and in May 2016 she became U13 Jai Maddalena (7LW) loves his scooter just gone up an age group to U15s. Gloucestershire AAA County Champion and practices tricks constantly to be the Tillie also attended trials for Newport in Hammer, Discus, Shot and Javelin and best he can be. He coaches other Schools FC and was successful in making she set a new County record in the youngsters at the St Briavels Skatepark it onto the team. She also plays league Javelin. Following on from this, she was and teaches them all the tricks he knows. football for Forest of Dean Ladies U14s. selected to represent Gloucestershire in Jai uses Youtube to pick up lots of tips Tillie also went to hockey trials and made the SW England Championships in and records his it onto the South East Wales Javelin, Discus and Hurdles. This was tricks and edits the Hockey U14 team. Tillie held at Exeter in August 2016 and Tillie film to show his plays rugby for performed well, finishing 9th in hurdles, performances. 4th in Discus and gained a Silver medal in Javelin.
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Jai and two friends, Riley Rogers (7LW) summer fixture list where they will play Maegan passed with flying colours and and Sam Peake organised a Scooter against Super League and International by the end of the week Maegan had also Weekend for Y7 to Y9s, complete with opposition. picked up Best Cadet, which was a great sponsors. Children took part in forest Former student Bret, who plays Rugby achievement for Monmouth. type activities including outdoor pizza Union for Drybrook RFC, was also Maegan then went on to work hard making and a fire pit. They did this with selected to play for Gloucester Rugby PDG through the rest of the year. During the just the minimum of support from their and also represented Gloucestershire in last session of the year, Maegan was (very proud) parents. Their focus was to the U16s county championships which presented with The Booty Trophy for the give inner-city children the opportunity took place in February and March 2016. Best Turned Out Cadet of the Year in her to skate and have a taste of the wild! Ella Drabble (9PR) ran two pretty muddy detachment. This was the first year this Lucy Powell (9VE) has had an excellent 5k Race for Life events one after the trophy had been awarded as it is in year this year and has been awarded other, a week apart. She has featured in memory of SMI Paul Shannon. Maegan Junior Member of the Year 2016 - Gwent the local press in Ross as well as raising did so well in her short time in the ACF Music - North Monmouthshire Group - over £380 (with the aim of raising and her parents could not be prouder. Mr Morgan. more). Ella wanted to run for Cancer Along with her sister, Brodie (8SS), Alicia McLachlan (11LD) was the Wicked Research because she knows so many Meagan took part in a Stagecoach Queen in Snow White The Ballet. people, family and close friends who are, performance in March at The Malvern She and Emily Brown (11LE) were both or have been, affected by cancer. Ella’s Theatre. doves too. They only began ballet in Grandpa had cancer, her Great Grandpa Maegan and Brodie ran a 10k Hero race September 2015 and are using it to sadly died of bowel cancer and her best on the 1st of May in Milton Keynes, contribute to the DofE Bronze Awards. friend’s mum has had her last treatment following Maegan’s participation in the Both passed Grade Three exams in the for breast cancer. MCSBC Half Marathon in March, raising Spring of 2016! Eleri Jarrold (8SS) represented Gwent funds for the Club. Alicia, Josh Ellis (11GD), Henry (13WP) Young Farmers in the Floral Art and Alexandra (13AD) Damon and competition at the Royal Welsh Show Esme Collier are all going to SoulSurvivor 2016, following her winning entry in the in summer with Links Youth Fellowship - county heats. a Christian worship festival. Maegan Templeton (10PY) attended Alicia and Beatrice McLachlan (9MR) and Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force Josh Ellis had parts in “Into the Woods” which deployed to Crowborough with Monmouth Youth Music Theatre in Training Camp in East Sussex near October 2016. Tunbridge Wells, 16 - 29 July 2016. Jack Wear, Ellis Brown (12DD) and Maegan was working towards Bret Thomas played for MCS in the her One Star and needed to Champion Schools Wales Rugby League pass ten subjects at each grade Final. These three students also play in they are: Drill & Turnout Map the Welsh League for Torfaen Tigers RLFC & Compass, Skill At Arms in Cwmbran and, after some solid Expedition, Shooting Cadet in the performances, they have been selected Community, First Aid Military to represent Wales U16s in an exciting Knowledge, Fieldcraft Physical Recreation, Signals.
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In August 2016 Eabha (10NP) and Seren Darcey Maguire (10TR) came second at Street Festival and the One Love Festival (8RE) Strong-Wright competed in the the 2016 Chepstow Show with Young (where he played on the main stage 2016 Acorn Regatta, Eabha came third Handler for her dog Monty and went on straight after the headline act). in the Laser 4.7 fleet and third in the to feature in the South Wales Argus. February 2017 saw Rory recording an General Handicap. Seren came second in Darcey also placed at Triley Fields album with King Solomon, and the Topper 4.2 fleet. Combined Show for Show Jumping and touring with them in Gloucestershire, October saw Eabha, who is a member of Dressage on Destiny, coming third. Birmingham, Nottingham and London in the Royal Yachting Association UK Youth, Ella Young (11BA) was invited by her the Easter holidays (as well as revising for selected for the Junior Squad. Eabha’s singing teacher Dan Fulham, to sing his A-levels!). selection for this squad recognises her ‘Sunshine & I’, at a venue in Cardiff in Following trampoline selection trials on potential to progress within the British August, to raise funds for the Ty Hafan 25/26th June, India Marshall (12CS) Sailing Team, with the aim of winning charity. Ella was chosen by Dan out of all qualified to represent Wales at the selection for the UK Youth Squads or his students, including six professional Junior Commonwealth Gymnastics beyond into their Olympic Development singers. Championships in Namibia in October programmes. Eabha was selected on the Ella had a standing ovation for her 2016, competing in the trampolining basis of performance and commitment efforts which made her parents section of gymnastics. This was a to a programme of training and incredibly proud. After the gig, she was significant event in her calendar of competition over a period of several approached to sing at Velindre Care events and at just 16, having just years, and establishes her status as a Centre Family Fun Day in Cardiff in completed her GCSEs. UK Squad sailor who, it is hoped, September 2016. India came home with an Individual will represent Great Britain at major Jack Bodily (9BT) won the Champion Beef Gold and Team Gold in trampolining for international events in the forthcoming Young Handler section at the 2016 Team Wales. Mum and Dad are years. Brecon and Burwarton shows. extremely proud of her focus, In August 2016, Serena Natt (10PY) Just before Alex Bailey (7DS) started MCS commitment, dedication and drive to competed at Derby in the Velodrome in September 2016, he attended the succeed in her sport. Nationals, competing in the flying Taekwondo World Championships in Chloe Evans (11LG), Darcy Birkett (11NJ), 200m time trial. She and two others Birmingham and received a Bronze Taryn Birkett (11AL) achieved excellent from MCS only began training in April medal in sparring within his age group results in RAD Grade 8 Ballet exams, so it was amazing to see them and belt colour. passing with Distinction. competing so early on. It was a huge learning experience and we are looking Rory Gordon (13CC) played as a trumpet Margy Farmer-Kindell (8LW) is involved forward to the winter races in session musician with the King Solomon with the ‘Hope Support Services’ charity Newport Velodrome in November and Band, supporting Brinsley Forde and the which supports young people through a December. Serena competed in the ASWAD experience at a range of music family health crisis, based in Ross-on- Welsh Championships in January 2017 festivals and events through the 2016 Wye, www.hopesupport.org.uk. and came away with three medals: summer holidays and into September Through a cake sale and a ‘£1 in a bronze in the sprint and the Kieran and (Brinsley Forde was the lead singer with bucket’ game, Margy raised £204 for the silver in the 500m. ASWAD, which was a reggae band that charity. was big in the 1980s. The ASWAD William Bevan (7RP) entered a poetry experience is his new backing competition while still in Y6 at Garway band). Primary. The poem was published in The two biggest events Rory February 2017 in ‘Young played at were the Nottingham
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Writers Treasured Verses - A Collection of youngsters all volunteered to help as, the senior contest (16-19 years old) and Poetry’. amazingly, there were no other Gracie Follows (11AL) win the junior September saw Sam Williams (10AF) sign volunteers at the Chepstow Tesco store. contest (11-15 years old). Totally at Risca Academy U15s for the new They all rolled up on the Saturday, Talented is a singing competition open season as striker (football). Sam also collected their buckets, t-shirts and to people aged 11 to 19 years from The signed on to play for Newport Schools stickers etc and set about making the Forest Of Dean and Wye Valley area. (see U15 (this was his second year at day as successful as they could. Ground Gracie’s report on page 44). Newport Schools), again as striker. He rules were agreed - no pressure, be In November, Blake Stephens (11AL), had trials at both Hereford FC and Risca polite, all donations gratefully received went the extra mile in finding some over the summer months and was and, if people asked, remind them of the valuable work experience. Blake spent his offered places at both. However, having good causes being collected for and week in London shadowing David Davies played at Hereford the previous year in how they had affected them personally - MP in Westminster. Blake said “It was the JPL League, he decided that he particularly how the BHF funds a a wonderful opportunity which isn't wanted a new challenge this year, research programme into the rare heart afforded to many. I was delighted to be playing in the Welsh Academy set-up. condition that mum has (Spontaneous able to spend time working in an area When he gets a free Sunday from Risca, Coronary Artery Dissection or SCAD). that holds such interest for me. It's he plays the odd game for Malpas in the The family wanted to ensure that they definitely encouraged me even more to Newport League. are helping to keep that going and to pursue my future studies and a career in Sam’s brother, Jack Williams (8TG) help other people who may have heart the field of politics.” signed on at Hereford FC U13s as conditions. Michael Failey (11AL) received the award goalkeeper following successful trials Mrs Mulvaney confirmed all four of them for ‘Young MTB Rider of the Year’ for the over the Summer period. Jack beat a were absolutely amazing - a true credit Royal Dean Forest Cycle Club (RDFCC). number of other boys to the spot and to the school! Polite but relentless, in Alice Barrel l (9MR) achieved a Distinction took part in a couple of friendly matches total they raised £407.51 on the in her Advanced Certificate exam on her over Summer 2016. Jack is looking Saturday with £486.10 raised over the viola. The Advanced Certificate is an forward to working with a dedicated weekend. Mum was so proud of them, exam you sit after you’ve done grade 8! goalkeeping coach to help him improve. as were all the staff at the BHF. The quartet Alice plays with outside In September 2016, Georgia Mulvaney Jacob King (9MD) was cast in the lead school - the Monnow Quartet - has been (10AF), Will Mulvaney (8RE) and Tom role of Stewart the Sorcerer in LA based selected to play at the Music for Mulvaney (8SS), along with Georgia's Wonky Bot Studio’s podcast series Youth National Festival in Birmingham best friend Emily Mackin (10AF) joined ‘Spooky Troop’. He was the lead in the on July 8th. their mum in supporting the British song ‘We're a Little Different’ which was Success continued for Jago Strong-Wright Heart Foundation as part of their Tesco released in October 2016. (12TM) who was selected for the Welsh Big Collection Day. Tesco support both MCS students took top honours at a National Sailing Laser Performance the British Heart Foundation and talent contest on 19th November. Squad along with his Diabetes UK and organise a nationwide Totally Talented Lydney, sister, Eabha Strong- weekend of charitable collecting once a saw Ellen May Wright (10NP) who year. Mrs Mulvaney offered to help out Coombe (12WP) was selected for by being a team leader and the take first place in both the GBR
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Junior Sailing Team and the Welsh be involved in many songs and dances. discuss where their money will be spent National Sailing Topper Squad. Mum and Dad were told that Piper gave and how grateful the charity is for their Following on from a successful solo one of the best auditions ever to be seen support. Homelessness is ever increasing performance at the end of year in the 25 years the theatre group has in Wales and for our girls to production of Grease at Kymin View been running, and she is the lead vocal independently organise, plan and School in Summer 2016, Bryn Francombe in several of the performances. execute their whole fundraising (7LM) was invited by Kymin View's Joe Wyatt (8PH) became the Welsh U15 adventure, Stefanie and I are so proud. Headteacher, Mrs Wright, to record on trampoline champion. Well done girls keep it up” said Mrs Shaw. their new Christmas CD, which was Matthew Peters (13PB) achieved his black Miss Phillips, Miss Manners and the written and produced by James Wright belt grading in Tae Kwon Do. school are very proud of the girls. The of Gottalife Productions. Gottalife girls have demonstrated maturity, Ollie Chilcott (10VE) was awarded 'Player Productions have been producing independence and selflessness beyond of the Year' for Hereford Water Polo popular songs and musicals for schools their years and are a credit to their Club. He won a runner up medal with for many years and Bryn spent two days community. the Newport Senior Water Polo team in in February half-term recording with a the Wales and Southern Counties Georgea Firstbrook (11LD) continued small group of children at their studios in Cup Final and represented Wales U18s learning sign language and achieved her Langstone, working on their latest in the Inter Regional Water Polo Level 2 in British Sign Language with one Christmas CD called a ‘Twinkly Treetop Championships in Watford in February. of the highest grades in her adult Tale.’ Bryn really enjoyed learning and See a full article from Ollie on page 60. evening class. This involved going to the recording the songs and sharing this UWE (Bristol) every week for 3 hours and Ollie went to the Royal Albert Hall with experience with such a fun group of was a big commitment for her. Her the Gwent String Ensemble, playing first people. In fact, Bryn was so successful, family have been signing for 20 years as violin at the Music For Youth Proms. he was selected for several solos on the they have friends who are deaf. finished recording. He is looking forward Well done to Caitlin Shaw (8PH) and Georgea’s mum is also very proud that to hearing the CD when it is released in Maddie Francis (8PH) for raising £403.17 this year Georgea achieved her adult September 2017. to help the homeless. black belt in Shotokai Karate. She had Piper Whittington (9BT) achieved Grade 3 The girls trained hard to run the achieved her junior black belt 18 months in piano in February and, on the same St David’s Day 5K Run in Cardiff, raising before and usually children then go up day she got the good news, her sister money for The Wallich who are based in from 1st degree to 2nd degree then 3rd Cleo (7RP) learned to surf in the huge Cardiff. The charity focuses on care, etc to 5th before they get their adult waves of Byron Bay in Australia. Both support and guidance for people who black belt. Georgea skipped all of that girls performed in a show with Forest find themselves homeless throughout and went from 1st degree junior to 1st Musical Society in February half-term, Wales. dan adult black belt! She worked so hard which they had been rehearsing since The girls are currently completing a PiXL and mum thinks she definitely deserves a September 2016. Edge Leadership Challenge in their big well done. Piper performed a duet of the song Integrated Curriculum lessons and they Troy Taylor-Morgan and Daniel Jones ‘Somewhere Out There’ as well as many decided, as an act of leading kindness, (both 9PR) were League winners of other well-known songs from the movies that they wanted to run a race and Severn Valley Youth League 2016/17 alongside Cleo. Being two of only four collect sponsorship for homeless people. with their football team, Lydney Town children within ”It was extremely humbling to U14s. the whole theatre listen to the ladies from the group, they have charity sit and done very well to
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Luke Rogers (11BI) was interviewed for trombone as well as working for his jazz Ben Davies (10AF) represented Wales the Arkwright Scholarship at Bath exam. Alasdair took up kayaking and U14 cricket last year along with the University a few weeks ago. It is a great joined Wyedean Canoe Club in April Gwent U14s and Monmouth 1st team. achievement that he has even had an 2016. In the summer he gained his As the premier left arm spinner in the interview and mum says the family will Paddle Passport Award and now he is Welsh team, he took 23 wickets and 19 be keeping their fingers crossed! working through the Discovery Award. for the Gwent team. He took 23 wickets Jacob Dover (11BA) has been coaching Through the Winter. he attended pool for the Monmouth 1st team. This made the U12s Forest of Dean Girls FC team sessions and learnt to roll. February Ben the leading wicket-taker for each for the last year or so. 2017 saw Alasdair gain his 7 star Snow side. Life Award in Les Gets meaning that he Jacob started out as a volunteer helper Ben has trained all Winter with the is now an “all mountain skier”. for the older team but, as the popularity Wales U15 and Gwent squads and was of the training grew and more U12s Cameron Ogilvie (10NP), Josh Lewis also selected to train with the attended, he took on the role of coach. (10AF) and Flynn Ruddiforth (10HA) were Glamorgan Elite spin bowling squad The team has grown from three girls selected to play for Herefordshire County which is led by the former England and to approx fifteen and Jacob has U15 Rugby squad. current Glamorgan 1st team coach, demonstrated great confidence, Suzie Paddock (8RE), James Walliman Robert Croft. enthusiasm, organisational skills and the (10TR), Josh Francis (11AL), Ella Drabble Ben has had confirmation that he has amazing ability to direct and develop (9PR), Ellie Purdy Baker (8RE), Isobel been selected to represent both Wales football skills of a large number of U12 Gunter (7LM) Elora Dummett (7BY) Tom and Gwent again this summer, his sixth girls! Jacob has put considerable time Coates (7LC) and Oliver Price (8LW) consecutive year. and effort into getting the girls from a attend ‘The Cast’ (The Children's Eli Gethin (8RW) was selected for South group of novices, many of whom had Academy of Stage Training) in Wales Dragons Hockey U13G. never played before, into a team. The Monmouth and took part in a Club Secretary, Rebecca Saunders, says production of ’Annie’. The group started Having already completed the graded “Jacob is a great asset to this Club and learning Annie in September 2016, (they dance exams in Y10, Chloe Evans (11LG), we look forward to seeing what he and met every Wednesday after school for 3 Darcy Birkett (11NJ), Taryn Birkett (11AL), his team achieve next season. He is hours) and then performed it at the began training on professional dance doing an exceptional job”. Newport Riverfront Theatre on 30th exams and have now achieved excellent results in recent dance exams with A1 April 2017 saw Stephanie Painter March. Suzie was cast as Annie in Act 1 Dance Academy. They have been very (12FW), Charlotte Painter (8RW), and a maid in Act 2, and performed successful in achieving Vocational Michaela Rawsthorne (former student), some of the very well-known songs Qualifications (QFC Level 3) in all genres and Lily Cronin (8RW) complete a 5K including ‘The Sun will come out recently, including RAD Intermediate inflatable fun run and raise £489.91 for tomorrow’ and ‘Maybe’. Ballet, ISTD Intermediate Tap and ISTD Clic Sargeant, a cancer charity helping All of the students worked very hard Intermediate Modern and are now families whose children have cancer to (as well as having a lot of fun) and put training at vocational Advanced Level for stay together. Their families are so proud on a very polished and professional all dance genres. of them all. performance. Alasdair Woodward (8PT) is working towards Grade 5 in
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‘Highly Strung’, the Celtic trio comprising the organisation to represent our Rhea also plays for the U13s Welsh hub Bethany Piper (9JO), Cassie De St Croix swimmers within Great Britain. So far, and Welsh Netball Development Squad. (11NJ) and Eliza Mayo (10JL) got Dylan is the only member from Wales. Mrs Piper, a volunteer co-ordinator for through to the National Festival of Music Dylan benefitted from a really successful the Volunteering for Wellbeing Project for Youth in Birmingham in July. It’s only January training camp in Portsmouth in the area told us “I have 15 wonderful the second time a group from the school attended by 26 swimmers, and a students from your school doing have ever got through - and it was second weekend in Nottingham in April voluntary work with me. They are ‘Highly Strung’ that did it last year as attended by 31 members of the squad. in a variety of placements, visiting elderly well! The team met again at the European people on the ward at Monnow Sam King (11NJ) passed out as a Down Syndrome Open Swimming Vale hospital to cheer them up, Volunteer Police Cadet with Gwent Police competition in Southampton in early attending a local Inter-generational Tea in April and, during the ceremony, he April. The swimmers were swimming for Dance, helping in Monnow Vale Day won the 'Best Drill' award by the Chief their clubs and there was fierce Centre, assisting with Social Circles, a Constable. competition in the water and lots of group for local elderly people and Rebecca King (7SN) was cast as Delilah camaraderie poolside. Dylan achieved helping out in Bridges Centre the Demon Girl in LA based Wonky Bot two personal bests and now has Community Shop.” Studio's podcast series ‘Spooky Troop’. qualifying times for the DSISO European Emma Johnston (12PN), Sioned Roberts She sang on the song “When You're Championships, which will take place in (12EE), Tori Edwards (12TM), Molly Abell Giving” which was released in December Paris between the 28th October and 4th (13PA), Phaedra Dickson (12RM) and 2016. Rebecca also achieved a pass in November 2017. This is a great event Laura Pritchard (12WP) have all been her Musical Theatre exam in April 2017. with plenty of tough competition and volunteering to make ward visits at Harri Williams (7BN) and Matthew Coton the GB squad are training hard for the Monnow Vale Health and Social Care (7NL) were selected to play rugby for event. Hospital, chatting to the patients, Pontypool and District Schools on an As well as the action in the pool, there is encouraging them to get up and out of overseas tour to Italy. the opportunity to meet swimmers from bed if possible and getting involved with activities. Dylan Hughes (9JO) has finished all over Europe and beyond. The last swimming the Para squad in Gloucester European Championships took place at Leah Brown (12WP) is volunteering in in favour of being able to train more Loano, Italy during November 2015. Monnow Vale Day Centre, working with often, closer to home. He’s improved Over 100 European and a number of the people there, many of whom have greatly since swimming with Monnow world records were broken. It was a very dementia. She is chatting, looking after Swimming Club and has certainly got successful event for the GB team and everyone and getting involved with the much faster. At the first competition he they will be determined to repeat this in activities. competed in following his move, he was November. Lily Jack (12TY) and Jasmin Alban disqualified from his 50m freestyle for Dylan is aiming to attend the DSISO (12TY) have been involved with the going so much faster than the entry time World Championships in Truro, Canada Inter-generational Tea Dance, dancing that had been submitted! in July 2018. with everyone, chatting with those who He has also now become a member of Rhea (8TG) and the Down Syndrome Swimming Great Poppy (10JL) Jenkins Britain squad (DSS-GB). DSISO play for Monmouth (the umbrella organisation controlling Ladies netball team. international swimming for athletes with Down Syndrome) have formally recognised DSS-GB as
84 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 aren’t dancing and assisting with the tea the gold medal for Most Improved Eleri won the Gwent Junior Reading and coffees. Lily and Jasmin are also Handicap. This was a huge achievement Competition. going to be helping out in Bridges for her as she shoots against experienced In the recent Gwent YFC Tug of War Community Shop. adults. On Sunday 28th May, there was competition, the Raglan Junior Young Layoni O’Sullivan (13AD) and Rose a themed fun day shoot between local Farmers team, including Emma Jones Jorgensen-Rideout (12PN) have been clubs and Alice won the Ladies Longbow (11NI), Ollie Bennett (11LG), Lauren helping at Social Circles, the group for competition which she was thrilled Meredith (9JO), Rory Meredith (11GD) local elderly people, chatting, ensuring about. and Liam Martin (11NJ) came second everyone has plenty of drinks and a Alice Livesey (12FW) set up an with the Crucornery team, which good lunch and helping with the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian included Joe Bayliss (12DD), William actvities there. Association) Dressage Team as part of Thompson (12PN), Cory Harper (12DD) Sophie Hardy (13AC) has been attending the community challenge section of and ex students David Watkins and Alex the “Wednesday Group” for local people the Welsh Baccalaureate (30 hours Nicholas winning the event. who are lonely or isolated, chatting and of volunteering in the community). ensuring everyone is having a good time. Alice set up a team with Millie Arnup (8SS), Tara Anderson Megan John (12WP) and Lauren Terrell (10CK) and Millie Edwards (9RT) (12CS) are both helping in Bridges who competed successfully Community Shop, helping to sort stock, throughout the season. price items and get everything ready to be sold, to make money to re-invest in Eleri (8SS) and Meggie (12RM) the people of Monmouthshire! Jarrold are keen members of Raglan Young Farmers and Mrs Piper added “I have been incredibly were voted joint winners of impressed by them all - they have the U16 Best Performer been enthusiastic, hard-working, well section of the Entertainment mannered, kind, friendly and a real Competition in February credit to the school. They are making a 2017. Meggie was also voted real difference in their community and Best Chairman in the Gwent I am delighted to have them as part of YFC Public Speaking my team.” competition with the Public Alice Sullivan (10CK) is a member of The Speaking Team coming 2nd in Bowmen of The Deans and has been the Welsh Competition. Along shooting a 30lb longbow for almost a with Millie Arnup (8SS), year now, having shot a recurve bow for three years prior to that. At the end of Winter season 2016/2017 Alice won the Handicap Shield as well as
85 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Phoenix from the Ashes
Eight months of digging, crushing, rolling and piling are now over. The result - very important but unexciting (unless, of course, engineering is your thing) - foundations for the new school!
As Spring arrived it wasn’t just the bluebells that germinated and grew. In May, the steel frame, the skeleton for the new school, arrived and like a giant Meccano set was constructed before our eyes. Students and teachers were overheard excitedly commenting on the view from ‘their new classroom’, ex-students came back to take photos and Project Managers were seen with smiles on their faces. The excitement continued as the School Council led us through the first phase of interior design consultation. The architects were overwhelmed by the passion the Council had for their current school and how clear they were that the new school would reflect the culture and values of our community. So, what’s next? Furniture and fittings, paints and carpets, computers and projectors and, yes, moving in. Here’s to September 2018.
86 The Leader Issue 13 - Summer 2017 Student Design & Technology Work
Matt Fleming Josh Handy
Lydia Handley
Olly Rowlands
Millie Elsmore
Jake Heyes
Georgia Parry Jade Cox
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