Comprehensive School WINTER NEWSLETTER 2015

‘Learning to Lead our Lives Dysgu Trwy Arwain’

Mae’r myfyrwyr a’r staff yn dymuno Nadolig Llawen I chi Students and staff wish you a Happy

Hello. My name is Eliza. I am a member of 7SS and approaching the end of my first term at Monmouth Comprehensive School. Starting at MCS has been a challenge, whether it was knowing you were going to meet different people or having completely new lessons. This journey, however, has been a lot easier than I thought.

On my first day I only knew one person, Hatti. She went to the same primary school as me and we were both really nervous. Since then we have made many friends. My Form, 7SS, is amazing. I feel very comfortable and happy in it. Amber says that “it is like a little family” and “Room 35 is our home!”

Lessons have been fun too, as well as challenging. I now feel much more confident in my own learning because I know how to do it as well as what to do. DT Food is very challenging because I have never cooked edible food before, but I am enjoying it. I feel like I am learning cooking skills for life; soon, I’ll be able to cook for my family! Science is also much more interesting than my primary school, because as primary school I learnt about the water cycle many times. We would spend our Science lessons over by the windowsill! At MCS, however, there are much more fun and exciting experiments to do. If I’m honest, I have never been amazing at Maths but I feel that I am improving my skills in this subject because it is much more challenging. Overall though. Humanities is probably my favourite lesson because I have a lot more fun and I learn new things; Mrs Price in wonderful.

The best day at MCS I’ve had so far is probably the day of the Headteacher’s lunch because everyone got to talk to

Mr Davies in a comfortable way; he was really friendly. We talked about our experience here at MCS. Everyone said

very positive things, because this is a wonderful school.

Most people in my Form are very excited about the new school being built, as am I, because we are going to be

learning in a much bigger, better environment. We talk about it in Form time, planning and giving our Form Council

Representatives new ideas for their meetings. It will be our school, in every way.

I feel very happy in this school and I am glad I made the choice to come here.

Eliza

At Christmas time this year, the school will follow its usual traditions of festivities and celebration. Every year we try to make this a special time for all our students. We will be decorating the Christmas tree, presenting our Christmas Assemblies and holding our Annual Christmas Carol Service at St Mary’s Priory Church on 16th December.

Christmas lunch will be held on the last day and is provided free of charge. The lunch will be served to Years 7 - 10 from 12 noon onwards. Students will have their lunch in their Year Groups with their Tutor in the Dining Hall. Prefects will support and act as waiters dressed as Santa’s Little Helpers. Year 11 will have a Christmas brunch along with Year 12 and 13.

The school will close for Christmas at 3 pm on Friday 18th December and re-open on Monday 4th January 2016. Friday 18th December is a non-uniform day with the theme ‘Christmas Jumpers’.

Over the Christmas Holidays, it is time for us to relax with our families and reflect on the year. All the staff at school would like to thank you as parents for your support over the year. As always, you have been unstinting in your help. School attendance is at an all-time high. Thank you. Attendance at school has an enormous impact on a student’s outcomes and can make the difference to future success. Many of our students have 100% attendance and that figure is becoming the norm.

I hope this Christmas is a wonderful time and that for all the families we serve, you have a joyful and peaceful time.

The New Year will bring examinations for Year 10, 11, 12 and 13. Year 9 will be making their options from the Key Stage 4 qualification programme and Year 7 and 8 will continue with reaching for even higher levels of attainment. It will be a busy time.

R Vaughan Davies Prifathro/Headteacher

Oxford Art Trip

Throughout the day we went to three places; Oxford University of Natural History, the Oxford Botanical Gardens and the Oxford Museum of Modern Art. Seeing the skulls and flowers up close and in person gave us great ideas for our own artwork with a variety of colours and textures to explore in our sketchbooks and that is what we had to draw in our studies.

The MOMA gallery had some really interesting Art on show with some 3D printing techniques as well as large scale sculptures and installations.

All in all a good day out!

Joe Buckland and Gruffudd Drury Year 10

School-to-Home Communication - parent help required

At our school, we rely on a range of methods and ways to communicate with you as parents. Our communication allows us to keep you informed of your child’s progress and to let you know what is going on at school on a regular

basis. Over the years, we have developed a number of methods and have experimented with different systems, especially those involving new technologies. With all of these new technologies though, there is an importance placed on the accuracy of the data we hold so that you as parents can receive the information electronically.

We would like to develop further our electronic communications. We are going to trial some new methods this year. In order to do so, we want to make sure we have the most up to date and accurate data. In the coming weeks, we will be sending home communication information. This will be done the ‘old fashioned’ way, in an envelope and sent home with your child. (Please check bottom of bags and Student Planners).

We would really appreciate you reading the information and returning it in the envelope to your child’s tutor. Your support will help us with the way we can develop our communication systems and methods. Thank you for your help.

It all adds up to success !

In October Lara Gordon, Annicca Prince, Georgia Howe, Bethan Arnell and Carys Robbins participated and achieved success in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls 2015. Over 1,500 girls nationwide participated, with the top 25% receiving a Certificate of Distinction.

Lara Gordon in Year 13 achieved this certificate as well as a book prize for being a high scorer. Lara will be invited to participate in Olympiad competitions later in the year, which can lead to further events and the possibility of representing the UK in the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad or the International Mathematical Olympiad. Da Iawn!!

Annual Art Exhibition The Joint Schools Art and Design Exhibition at Shire Hall opened on 23rd November with a private viewing. This was well attended by invited guests and opened by potter Walter Keller.

The Exhibition showed a variety of artwork from MCS, Monmouth School and HMSG. As an A level student at MCS, I was able to exhibit my own work as well as see the work of the other schools; inspiring new ideas, techniques and use of different materials.

The Exhibition proved to be very successful and, by stewarding the exhibition, we were able to hear and read the positive feedback left by visitors and take on new ideas. The Joint Schools Exhibition provides young artists with a new outlook on their work by seeing it in the public eye as well as building students’ confidence with their art. Public Vote

Emily Bagshaw Year 13 Bradley Smith won the public vote at The Joint

Two of our Sixth Form Students have been shortlisted Schools for worldwide photography competitions – we wish Art & Design them both good luck in the finals. Exhibition, Shire Hall

with Emily Bagshaw 13RB – World in Photography finalist ‘Motorised – Rose in Decay Pig’

Health and Wellbeing

Following County Council guidance, we are not permitted to dispense Paracetamol to students.

Please remember if you need medication to be dispensed by Healthcare for you child whilst in School,

you must have:

Elliott Kramer 12JB – Outdoor Photographer of - Medication prescribed by a doctor, in the prescribed the Year finalist box with the label attached and intact - Completed and returned to Healthcare the Administration of Prescribed Medication Form – available from Healthcare [email protected]

When providing long-term medication, parents are responsible for noting the expiry date and replenishing supplies when necessary, with the school.

Welsh Schools Trampoline Championships

Team MCS came away with four Silvers at the Welsh Schools Championships held at Monmouth Leisure Centre.

The U19 Intermediate team of Laura Pritchard, Zoe Lambert, Taryn and Darcy Birkett began the success for MCS. This was then followed by the U14 team of Bethan

Carlton, Kaitlyn Newman and Kirsty Maylin with the under 19’s Elite team of Dawn Dainty, Rose-Jorgensen-Rideout and India Marshall rounding things off completing the quartet of Team Silvers.

Further success came as India Marshall won silver in the U19 Girls Elite competition with some outstanding performances.

All teams, together with India, will now travel to Cardiff in January to compete in the zonal competition.

Good Luck Girls. #TeamMCS

First XV Rugby Union round up

MCS started the season off well with a convincing home win over Usk and an away win at Duffryn. They then came up against tough opposition in the form of Bassaleg School who convincingly overcame MCS for the first loss of the season. MCS were soon back to winning ways with another convincing win away to Caerleon only to let things slip in the dying moments of the game against to record their second loss of the season.

Results so far:

Monmouth v Usk W Duffryn v Monmouth W Monmouth v Bassaleg L Caerleon v Monmouth W Chepstow v Monmouth L

First XIII Rugby League Round up

MCS played against College Cymoedd in a pre-season RL friendly. College Cymoedd travelled to MCS full of confidence with scholarship players within their squad and were favourites for this pre-season friendly.

MCS started the game at an intense pace, running in two early tries to the surprise of College Cymoedd. The visitors soon hit back with two tries of their own only for MCS to finish the first half with a try. Half time score MCS 12 College Cymoedd 8.

The second half started the same as the first with MCS in full control running in an early try. Cymoedd then came back and started to control the game with three unanswered tries. With the score now 16-20 MCS knew they now had a game on their hands. MCS then ran in two more tries, leading 24-20 but, with moments remaining, Cymoedd managed to sneak a try past us, resulting in scores level at 24-24 at the final whistle.

Well done to our Y9 Girls Futsal team, finishing runners up at a Y10/11 Gwent Cup Futsal Competition.

Well done to our Y11 and 10 Futsal boys, finishing both Champions and runners up in Newport County’s Futsal Gwent Cup competition. The trophy was given out by Newport County AFC goalkeeper Joe Day on the day but they will also have their trophy presented to them again at half time at Newport County AFC’s game against AFC Wimbledon. MCS Futsal team will now represent Newport County at the National Finals in Bristol next year

Year 9 Rugby Year 9 Rugby have played 9 games so far, representing the school in the Newport Leagues, Tri Counties tournament and Newport Cup. They have won 5 matches and lost 4. Josh Lewis has been the stand out player this term securing 2 MoM awards and scoring 7 tries so far. The team has been captained well by Ben Pilot and Cameron Ogilvie. So far this term 28 different players have represented the Year 9 team. MCS will be hosting the Year 9 Champions Rugby League tournament where hopefully the Year 9 team can push on with the excellent start they have made this year.

Year 9 Football Year 9 Football were unlucky to be knocked out of the Welsh Cup in the first round this season after losing 3-2 against Caerleon, the team was very disappointed after leading 2-0 at Half time. Year 9 are still representing MCS in the Newport Schools Cup which they made the final of last year and are hoping to go one better this year and bring back the trophy. Daniel Keane and Ben Hopkins have been rewarded for their performances this year and last for MCS and have gone on to represent Newport Schools after successfully getting through the trials. After Christmas Year 9 Football will start their campaign in the Pontypool and District League. Girls Football Girls football have had a number of fixtures so far this year with 30 girls representing MCS at Under 15s and Under 13s. Continuing on with the success shown last year both teams have represented the school in the Welsh Cup. The Under 13s were very unlucky to lose 4-3 to a very strong Blackwood team in the Third round of the Welsh Cup. The Under 15s team put in a great performance to draw 3-3 against a strong Wyedean team. Both teams have been captained well by Chelsea Willets and Amber Stamp Dunstan.

PARENTPAY When making payments for School activities and ‘topping up’ your child’s lunch account, we recommend the security of using ParentPay online – just visit www.parentpay.com - If you have not received details to access Parentpay please contact Mrs S Stitt by email [email protected] or telephone 01600 775151.

PARENTPAY EMAIL ACTIVATION If you are receiving printed letters for trip/activity updates then please follow the easy steps below to enable you to receive all further Parentpay communication via email.

1. Login to Parentpay @ www.parentpay.com with your Username and your Password. 2. Click on the View/Edit profile tab (on left hand side of the Home screen) 3. Click on phones/emails, scroll down and check your email address if correct click the verify button 4. Check you Inbox for the Parentpay email and click on the link in the body of the email to reply to Parentpay 5. You have now completed the email verification process. 6. You will now be able to set up and receive alerts for low dinner money balances and new items added for payment.

Traddodiadau Nadolig Cymreig- Welsh Christmas traditions

Dros y flynyddoedd, mae pobl wedi cymryd rhan yn llawer o draddodiadau yng Nghymru yn ystod y Nadolig; dyma ddau enghraifft ohonyn nhw. Beth am drio nhw eleni?

Over the years, people have taken part in many traditions in Wales during Christmas; here are two examples of them. What about trying them this year?

Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare) gan Alice Gable 12CL

Y traddodiad Nadolig cymreig mwyaf adnabyddus yw Mari Lwyd (‘Grey Mare’ yn Saesneg). Basai pobl yn cymryd rhan yn y Fari Lwyd achos basai hi’n rhoi lwc iddyn nhw dros y flwyddyn nesaf. Y Fari Lwyd ydy penglog geffyl ar polyn, sy wedi’i gorchuddio gyda cyfnas wyn a wedi’i addurno gyda afwynau, rhubanau a chlychau. Yn draddodiadol yn y seremoni, mae grŵp o ddynion yn cario’r ffigur ceffyl o ddrws i ddrws mewn pentref neu dref. Mae’r grŵp yn sefyll o flaen pob tŷ ac maen nhw’n canu caneuon Cymreig traddodiadol. Wedyn, mae’r caneuon yn cael eu parhau yn y dull o gystadleuaeth rigwm, o’r enw pwnco, lle mae’r grŵp Mari Lwyd a’r preswylwyr y tŷ yn herio ei gilydd gyda penillion byrfyfyr, sy’n cael eu cyfnewid rhwng drws y tŷ. Os ydy’r preswylwr yn colli’r pwnco, mae rhaid iddyn nhw wahodd y grŵp Mari Lwyd yn ei dŷ i fwyta teisen ac yfed cwrw.

Er bod y traddodiad Mari Lwyd ddim yn cael ei ymarfer yng Nghymru mor aml ag oedd e unwaith, mae rhai cymdeithasau dal yn perfformio fe bob blwyddyn. Mae fersiwn o’r seremoni Mari Lwyd yn digwydd yng Nghas-gwent pob mis Ionawr, pan ydy grŵp Cymreig yn herio grŵp Seisnig. Hefyd, rydych chi’n gallu gweld y ddefod yn Amgueddfa Werin Cymru Sain Ffagan pob mis Rhagfyr. The most renowned of Welsh holiday traditions is that of the Mari Lwyd, meaning ‘Grey Mare’. People would take part in the Mari Lwyd because it would give them luck over the following year. A Mari Lwyd is a horse’s skull on a pole, covered with a white sheet and decorated with reins, ribbons and bells. The ceremony traditionally involves a group of men carrying the horse figure from door to door in a village or town. The group stands in front of each house and sings traditional Welsh songs. Then the songs are continued in the form of a rhyme contest, called a pwnco, in which the Mari Lwyd group and the inhabitants of the house challenge each other with improvised verses, traditionally exchanged through the closed door of the house. If the inhabitants of the house lose the pwnco, they are obliged to invite the Mari Lwyd party in for cake and ale.

Although the Mari Lwyd tradition is no longer practised in Wales as much as it once was, certain communities still perform it every year. A version of the Mari Lwyd ceremony is staged in Chepstow every January, when a Welsh group challenges an English group. The ritual can also be seen in St Fagan’s National History Museum every December.

Noson Gyflaith a Rysáit Taffy- gan Frances Dowle ‘Noson Gyflaith’ and Taffy Recipe- by Frances Dowle

Mae Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Evening) wedi bod yn rhan Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Evening) has been a traditional draddodiadol o ddathliadau Nadolig yng Nghymru ers part of Christmas celebrations since the beginning of the dechrau’r ganrif ddiwethaf. Mae pobl yn gwneud e a bwytir last century. Typically, it is made and eaten following ar ôl cinio’r Nadolig. Dywedir bod y taffi’n gallu dangos y Christmas Dinner. Supposedly, the taffy can even reveal dyfodol hefyd! the future! Cynhwysion: Ingredients:  tri phwys o siwgr brown dwl  three pounds soft brown sugar  hanner pwys o fenyn hallt  half a pound salted butter  sudd o un lemon  juice of one lemon  chwarter peint o dŵr berw (neu tipyn bach mwy os  quarter pint boiling water (or a little more oes angen) according to the consistency of the sugar) Tywalltwch y dŵr berw dros y siwgr yn y sosban, a thoddi'r Method: siwgr yn araf ar ben gwres isel, gan ei droi'n gyson â llwy Using an enamel or steel pan, gradually melt the sugar in bren tan iddo doddi'n llwyr. (Cymer hyn ryw ugain munud, the boiling water over a low heat. Stir it continuously with a yn ôl ansawdd y siwgr.) Codwch y sosban oddi ar y tân, wooden spoon until the sugar is thoroughly melted. (This ychwanegu sudd y lemwn a'r ymenyn (wedi'i feddalu) at y usually takes from twenty to thirty minutes.) Remove the siwgr, a'u cymysgu'n drwyadl. Yna berwch y cymysgedd yn saucepan from the heat, add the lemon juice and the weddol gyflym am ryw chwarter awr heb ei droi o gwbl. softened butter, and stir into the sugar. Boil this mixture Gollwngwch llwy de o'r cymysgedd i mewn dŵr oer fairly briskly for a further fifteen minutes without stirring it. rhewllyd. Dylai y taffy gurlio i mewn llawer o siâpau Drop a teaspoonful of the mixture into some icy cold water. gwahanol- mae’r llythrennau yn dangos y It should curl into all sorts of shapes like letters- revealing cychwynolau partneiraid yn y dyfodol, o unrhywun yn y the initials of the future partners of any unmarried family members. teulu sy ddim yn briod.

It’s not too late………

Don’t worry if you haven’t sent the photographs through for the Whose Baby? page – there is still time!

Just email them through to Mrs Baker – e ven if it is a photo of a photo, that will be fine.

Music Workshop On Friday, 16th October, we were joined by two of the captains of ‘Only Boys Aloud’ to run a workshop with a group of boys from Years 8 – 13. Below are the reflections from Hayden Morris, 8RT, who participated in the workshop

“We watched a video clip about ‘Only Boys Aloud’ and I thought it was quite well run and organised. They showed us where they went on tour and some of the members told us what it was like there. After that we did some warm up games such as ‘don’t clap this one back’ and worked towards a performance of ‘Yellow Submarine’, with actions. I thought it was really good that they came to show us what it was like to be involved and how they got there and how to join. It’s useful to know there is always someone there to support you with your singing.”

If students are still interested in joining, there is full information on their website.

As Christmas draws near, we are all Careers and Higher Education Fair (CHEF) made aware of the need to be cautious and safe with our property and our The annual Careers and Higher Education Fair takes place on Thursday money. We have been advised to th 14 January at 6.00pm in the Sports Hall and School Hall. Over 100 remind all our community to make sure career professionals and higher education establishments will be that homes are kept safe, personal present, providing information on education, training and employment items are not left in sight and that opportunities. This event will be of particular benefit to several Year credit/bank details are kept secure. Groups. There is a lot of useful advice on the internet about ‘staying safe’– a useful Year 9: will soon be considering their Year 10 subject choices. link is given below: By talking to Careers, Further Education and University

Representatives, Year 9 students and parents can http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud- protection/bank-card-cheque-fraud choose subjects relevant to their future goals.

Year 10: as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate, students are Ymadroddion a Geiriau Nadolig yn y required to organise and participate in a Work Gymraeg- Welsh Christmas phrases and Experience placement. Many Career Representatives words at the Fair currently offer Work Experience or will be Triwch ddefnyddio rhai o’r rhain yn ystod able to suggest organisations that will be able to do so. y Nadolig eleni! Try using some of these over Christmas this year! Year 11: will soon be deciding whether to stay on at School in the Sixth Form, go to College, undertake training or Nadolig Llawen- Merry Christmas enter into employment. The Fair will help with all Cinio rhost- Roast dinner these possibilities. Siôn Corn- Father Christmas Siocled- Chocolate Year 12 & 13: will soon be considering, or are in the process of, Hosan- stocking applying for their University or Career Choices. The Dydd Nadolig- Christmas day Fair will help with both. Noswyl Nadolig- Coeden Nadolig- Christmas tree To access further information on The Careers and Higher Education Fair please contact Mrs K Jones at the school.

Holidays during Term Time DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Continuity in learning is important at Monmouth Comprehensive School. When a student misses 16 December – Carol Service, 7 pm St Marys Church school, it can create difficulties both academically and 18 December – TERM ENDS at 3 pm – Non Uniform socially. Wherever possible, term time absence should 21 December – 01 January – Christmas Holiday be avoided (especially during GCSE and GCE years). In 04 January 2016 – TERM BEGINS exceptional circumstances Parents/Carers may apply 06 January – Y10 Parents’ Evening to the school for term time absence. An application w/c 11 January – Extra Curricular Buses commence form will have to be completed (these can be 14 January – Careers & Higher Education Fair obtained from School Reception) and returned to the 21 January – Y11 Parents’ Evening school at least two weeks before the start of the 04 February - Pre Sixth Evening proposed time of absence. Permission should not be 10 February – Y9 Options Evening assumed. 10 February – Y9 Parents’ Evening 12 February – INSET DAY INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSURES 15 - 19 February – HALF-TERM Should we experience inclement weather this year, 22 February - TERM BEGINS school closure will be announced: 25 February – Physics trip to Cern 03 March – Y11 Next Step Day - on our telephone system 04 March – - on our website 11 March – Monmouth’s Got Talent Final, The Blake Theatre - via email 18 March - Comic Relief – Non Uniform Day - on local radio stations 20 March – Extra Curricular Buses finish - on Twitter 23 March – Y7 Parents’ Evening We do not use Facebook. 24 March – INSET DAY In the rare circumstance that we have to close 25 March – 08 April Easter Holiday 24 March – 31 March Spanish Sports Tour during the school day, it is vital that parents have 11 April – TERM BEGINS emergency plans in place. For example, where w/c 13 March – Extra Curricular Buses commence should your child go, if there is no one at home to receive them? Please make sure that we have up to date emergency contact details. Summer 2015 Examination Certificates Uniform Just in case Thank you to all our parents who support us in you need The certificates for the maintaining high standards of uniform across the it……. Summer 2014 exams are at The number school. Uniform can be a real challenge for parents, school and ready for collection. and the school particularly, as fashions come and for the Absentee Students still in school will have go so quickly. We are keen to work together to find Line is their certificates issued through a solution that supports learners, parents and the 01600 their Form Tutors. Students school. Currently we are exploring, with suppliers, 775284 who have already left will be the possibility of providing good quality, able to collect them from competitively priced badged items that will complement our polo shirts. Reception between 8.30 and 4.00. If you are a student who Bringing Personal Items to school has left us but you are unable to Whilst we do all we can to secure our premises collect your certificates and on-site equipment, we cannot be held yourself, please ring school and responsible for students’ personal possessions. we can make arrangements for The school advises that mobile phones, iPods and someone else to collect them on other valuable items are either stored in school your behalf. lockers or kept at home.

MCS Charity Committee

The Charity Committee has had a very busy start to the year, kicking off with our first large event; Macmillan Coffee Morning. This is not the first that year we have Monmouth Big Build taken part in the nationwide coffee morning and it acts as a good boost to the start of the year. Both Charlie and I Workmen are on site, tarmac is were overwhelmed by the support our new and old being dug up and concrete is members gave us by baking, making signs and serving tea being poured. After so many and coffee. We were thrilled by the amazing total of months of planning, it is a relief £216.40! It is fantastic to see people in our school to see work actually start on our community willing to support a good cause and help school site. The team is make a difference in the world. currently preparing the foundations for a temporary Not only does the Committee look to make a difference in block that will house our Library, Dining Hall and world or nationwide organisations, we also look to help in Reception on the ground floor and Geography and our own community. In October, we collected tins, Drama Departments on the first floor. I say ground packaged foods and toiletries for Monmouth Food Bank, floor, in fact the whole building will be raised on a local bank giving to those in need in our area. After stilts to ensure we all keep our feet dry during the delivering the donations (three whole cars full!) the winter rain. members of the service couldn’t have been more This temporary block will be thankful, in fact the word ‘thank you’ was nearly in every ready for us all to move into other word they said! Having such gratitude thrust upon at Easter prior to the us is always so unexpected, but appreciated! Giving a can commencement of the of food from our very full cupboards to feed a family in demolition phase of the need is such a simple gesture, but to these people it’s project. everything.

Thirty four additional parking places are also Children in Need rolled up very quickly - it seems so easy currently being developed to say ‘three weeks to go’ but if you say that to any off Old Dixton Road to Charity Committee member, it will ring alarm bells. Three accommodate the school’s parking requirements more meetings until the day! Three more meetings until during the build. we have to dress up, and spend two nights in a row baking cupcakes! Children in Need is one of the most Student Councils have met with members of the fulfilling days of the year. That feeling you get when team during this half term to look at how best we opening your results envelope is almost as great as can optimise the use of the school site during the finding out the final total raised. This year, that came to build. Relocating the SHED (School Healthy Eating £1,500.01, more than we have raised in years! This was Depot), moving benches, providing footballs and made by a non-school uniform day, a bake sale, a mix up requesting safety signage are some of the insightful of ‘La Bamba’ and ‘Twist and Shout’ by Mr Price’s suggestions made by Council members. fantastic Spanish class, and individual fundraising including, Jay Hardy shaving his head for the cause! I So, holes have been dug, JCB’s spotted, foundations don’t think any of the members were ready for the look laid and sites ‘marked up’ – the Big Build really has on our faces when cakes kept coming through the door started. that morning; the support was awe-inspiring and we couldn’t have been happier with how the day went. So, finally, thank you MCS for letting us run the Charity Committee; we get so much enjoyment from planning our events, and know the difference we make locally, nationally and globally! We’d like to extend an even bigger thank you to you, the students and parents for continuously supporting every little change we try to make in the world. Diolch yn Fawr.

Bethany Rudd and Charlie Rennie Y13 Joint Heads of Charity Committee

Ski Trip Christmas 2016 will take place from 16th-23rd December – Please call at Reception for a letter or find details on the website – PARENTS - TRIPS

Year 8 Football

MCS 6 - 1 Lliswerry in Newport Cup

Our Y8 team has made a fantastic start to the season and are currently unbeaten in eight games. They’ve scored a staggering 51 goals so far, with striker Johnny Dunckley leading the goal scoring chart with 13 goals; even goalkeeper Jack Watkins has got in on the goal scoring after a cameo appearance as a striker! Ryan Davies and Harry Johnson have bossed the defence ensuring only 9 goals have been conceded. A 7-3 win in a friendly against West Mon gave the team confidence going into the first Welsh Cup game of the campaign against Chepstow. A dominant MCS were too strong for Chepstow in an 11-1 win - Lewys Bevan with a hat-trick and a MoM performance. An 11-2 demolition of Croesyceiliog was followed up by a tricky encounter against St Julian’s in the opening round of the Newport Cup. As defending Newport Cup champions, MCS were favourites for the game and were looking to progress to the quarter finals. St Julian’s however, were stern opposition and led 1-0 at the half way stage, with MCS becoming increasingly frustrated by missed chances. With five minutes to spare, Johnny Dunckley made the most of sustained pressure and got the equaliser. Straight into penalties, MCS managed to scrape through 4-3 on penalties with goalkeeper Emyr Pullen making some magnificent saves.

At the start of November, MCS travelled to Caerleon for a friendly and came away with a 4-0 win thanks to some fine finishing from Johnny Dunckley, a defensive masterclass from Ryan Davies and some wonder saves from Jack Watkins. This win shows how much this team has improved after being knocked out of the Welsh Cup last season by Caerleon in a 3-1 loss, their only loss since the start of Y7. This will give the team massive confidence going in to their next Welsh Cup fixture against Caerleon in December.

This season saw MCS enter the Gwent Cup for the first time and they travelled to Newport High in the first round. Two goals from Johnny Dunckley and a goal each for Troy Taylor-Morgan and Callum Wood saw MCS progress to the next round with a comfortable 4-0 win. Their Cup form continued in the quarter finals of the Newport Cup in a 6-1 win against Lliswerry. With both keepers out through injury and illness, right back Gabe Unsworth did a top job in goal and bossed his defence. That set the platform for some classy attacking play and Johnny Dunckley bagged another two goals. Fellow striker Reuben Sutton also got in the goal scoring action and midfielders Troy Taylor-Morgan and Hywel Williams also chipped in. Ryan Davies completed the goal scoring with an absolute screamer from 25 yards out!

In preparation for the up-coming Welsh Cup match against Caerleon, a friendly was played between MCS and Bassaleg. Bassaleg made the long trip up from Newport only to be defeated by MCS 7-1. Captain Dan Brain controlled the midfield, setting up attacking plays which created goals for Lewys Bevan, Gabe Unsworth, Hywel Williams, Troy Taylor-Morgan and another goal for the in-form Johnny Dunckley. Dan Brain also bagged a brace after an unusual goal drought of four games for the midfield maestro.

MCS have shown fantastic promise this year and their strength and depth has been the key to this success. 22 players have represented this team so far this season and the competition for places is bringing out the best player performances. This team have a real chance of winning more silverware this season and a Cup double is a realistic target. All the best for the rest of the season boys!

Food Technology – Special Christmas Treats

This term our students have tried lots of delicious recipes in their Food Tech lessons. Below are just a couple of the recipes they have used. We hope you enjoy making them at home too.

Chocolate Brownies with white chocolate

200g dark chocolate, chopped 150g butter 225g caster sugar 150g plain flour 3 eggs 150g white or milk chocolate, chopped 1 tsp baking powder

Choose from the OPTIONAL extras below:

 125g raspberries • 75g cranberries and zest of 1 orange • 75g walnuts or pecans Method Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas mark 4. Line a 20cm (8in) square deep baking tin with greaseproof paper and grease the base and sides. In a large bowl sitting over simmering water, melt the dark chocolate and butter. Stir in the sugar and then gradually add the eggs. Add the sifted flour and baking powder followed by 125g (41/2oz) of the white chocolate and finally the raspberries (or other optional extra). Spread the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the oven for 30–40 minutes or until just firm on top. Remove from the oven and let sit in the tin for another 30 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Fruity Christmas pudding.- Serves 6 (1 ½ PT.)

75g butter 40g self-raising flour 75g fresh white breadcrumbs 3/4 level teaspoon mixed spice 75g raisins 200g currants 25g chopped apricots 75g sultanas A good pinch freshly grated nutmeg A good pinch ground cinnamon 175g soft dark brown sugar 20g blanched almonds, finely chopped 2 medium eggs 1 small Bramley cooking apple (5oz/150g) Grated zest of ½ medium orange Grated zest of ½ lemon 2 tablespoons rum or brandy 100ml Stout/Sherry/Port

Method - Begin the day before you want to steam the pudding.

Take a large saucepan, start by adding your stout and port and 1tbs. of dark brown sugar to the pan. Add all the dried fruits, almonds, cooking apple, spices, lemon and orange zest and half the juice. Mix these ingredients thoroughly together. Don't forget to tick everything off so as not to leave anything out! Gently heat the fruity mixture together and simmer for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and cover and leave somewhere cool overnight.

Next day, in a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the remaining sugar. Beat in the eggs then fold in the fruits, breadcrumbs and flour. Have a really good stir and make a wish! The mixture should have a slightly sloppy consistency – that is, it should fall instantly from the spoon when this is tapped on the side of the bowl. If you think it needs a bit more liquid add a bit more stout/sherry/port.

Pack the mixture into the lightly greased basin, cover it with a double sheet of silicone paper (baking parchment) and a sheet of foil and tie it securely with string (you really need to borrow someone’s finger for this!) It’s also a good idea to tie a piece of string across the top to make a handle.

Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 4 hours. Do make sure you keep a regular eye on the water underneath and top it up with boiling water from the kettle from time to time. When the pudding is steamed, let it get quite cold, then remove the steam papers and foil and replace them with some fresh ones, again making a string handle for easier manoeuvring.

Now your Christmas pudding is ready for Christmas Day. Keep it in a cool place away from the light – under the bed in an unheated bedroom is an ideal place.

To reheat, fill a saucepan quite full with boiling water, put it on the heat and, when it comes back to the boil, place a steamer on top of the pan and turn it down to a gentle simmer.

Recently, we were delighted to present a cheque for £3,600 to the school. £1,700 of this donation was support the students’ efforts organising the annual

Literary Festival in Monmouth. £1,900 will help purchase Please take the time to read this the WriteOnline software to support literacy in school, rhyme! which includes a grant of £500 from the When you shop on-line this Christmas Fund. time

Raise funds for us without any fuss. Join us today easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/monmo uthcomp Please don’t delay! So many shops to choose from (With Superdry, Viking, eBay, & Amazon...) To be a real star Download the tab bar!

We hope you enjoyed our rhyme Thank you to everyone who has bought raffle tickets and & remember us when shopping this supported our fundraising efforts and events. Christmas Time! 102 Supporters have raised At the AGM next May, the Friends Association will be £1,191.12 to date ! looking to appoint a new chairperson. The role provides a great opportunity for a parent to be more actively involved in the life of the school, working with a very friendly, enthusiastic and supportive team October’s Family ‘Food for Thought’ Quiz and Chilli Night was a great If you are interested, please email Kirstie at success. The aim was not to raise funds, but [email protected] or come along to the next to bring the school community together and FA meeting on Wednesday January 20th, in the Function Room, Three Horseshoes Pub to find out more welcome new families; to enjoy some chilli about what we do. and have fun!

The FA will be organising another Saturday workshop for parents next year – details to follow. We will also continue to run a free Heartstart session every term, teaching emergency life-saving skills to people 10 years old and over: you can find more information here. We would like the workshops to be free to families of the school using funds raised at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/monmouthcomp so please sign up to help.

Second Hand Uniform Thank you for all your donations. We sell very good quality items at very reasonable prices eg £3 for a sweatshirt or rugby top! We recycle anything we can’t use. More details are available on the school’s website: click here [email protected] www.easyfundraising.org.uk www.monmouthcomprehensive.org.uk

Netball….Netball….Netball…..Netball…….Netball…..Netball…..Netball…..Netball…..Netball

Year 7 : have had a fantastic start at MCS, and are unbeaten so far this season. All players have been committed and have been improving in each and every training session. Their hard work and determination really has paid off in competitive fixtures. As well as exceptional squad performances there have been fantastic stand out performances from Miah Natt, Eleri Jarrold Grace Lingwood and Rhea Jenkins Year 8 : have had a solid start to the year with 3 wins and only one defeat, with glimpses of Elerivery Jahighrrold skill and level Rhea in theirJenkins fixtures . This is undoubtedly thanks to the commitment of their new coach: Sixth Former, Holly Ainge. Well done to Amelia Lane and Tianna Smith for outstanding performances.

Year 9 : have had a number of matches and district trials so far this Year, with a number of team and personal successes. Josie Harrison was deservedly selected to represent Newport East in the County Trials in September and a special well done to Cerys Hughes who has been playing against adults in the Netball League - Premier division.

Year 10 : have produced the top numbers so far this year with over 40 students in training, week in, week out. They have made improvements on the court but have been unlucky in their games not to pick up a win, in some very close and fierce battles.

Year 11 : are the most successful team over their 5 years together – again this year unbeaten so far. They have won 5/5 games and demonstrated exceptional skill level and team cohesion. Individual players have also achieved high accolades; Lydia Smith, Ellie Johnson and Chloe Robertson were selected to represent the district in County Trials. Sophie Pilot, Lydia Smith and Ellie Johnson have also been playing and officiating in the South Wales Netball League - Premier Division.

A big thank you and well done to Holly Ainge in Y12 for her fantastic commitment and enthusiasm in taking on the role of coaching the Y8 netball team.

Fröhliche Weihnachten !

Many of our KS4 and A Level German students were fortunate to experience the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham on Saturday 14th November. The visit was also offered to other KS4/5 students, as an opportunity to experience cultural differences, in addition to the shopping experiences of the big city.

This Christmas Market, is now the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the country and has run for the last 12 years. This provides students with an insight into a German cultural tradition, whilst enjoying an exciting experience.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is at the centre of the city during the festive season. Traditional stalls offer an array of beautiful handmade toys, Christmas decorations, jewellery and gifts as well as some entertainment. German delights such as non alcoholic mulled wine (Glühwein), grilled sausages, and vegetarian options Pretzels, gingerbread, crepes and marzipan sweets are also on offer.

Many thanks to all our students, who showed such enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to take them and I hope they enjoy sharing all the German Christmas culinary delights with their family over Christmas. Miss Snook

New to school:

Morgan Watkins, Y7: “It is a fantastic school. Everyone is polite and friendly. All the teachers are lovely and I enjoy all of my lessons.”

Miss Wilcox, MFL: “MCS has fulfilled all my expectations. MCS is not only a great school but a supportive community of success.”

Cameron Mills, Y7: “Nervous before starting but settled in quickly. Loving the freedom and going from lesson to lesson. I enjoy school and school life.”

Year 8 Rugby

Like the Y8 football team, our Y8 rugby team has made a fantastic start to the season and have won seven out of nine games, scoring 39 tries in total. With MCS entering the new Newport Schools League format, Y8 have won three out of four League games so far, an encouraging start. They have also managed to win their first piece of silverware. A Tri- County Cross Border Championship was set up between MCS and English opposition John Kyrle, Newent and Dene Magna. In the group stages, MCS started with a comfortable 51-14 win at home to Newent with Harry Johnson orchestrating proceedings at No. 10. Olly Scriven and centre partner John Pearce created endless opportunities with winger Callum Wood the beneficiary; a hat-trick and a man of the match performance for his fine finishing. Next up was a tough trip to Ross to take on John Kyrle, a team that beat MCS 12-5 last season. Captain Morgan Wainewright did not, however, want a repeat of last year and ensured the MCS forwards fronted up, leading by example, making some crunching tackles and barn-storming runs. Big Jamie Strachan set the tone early on, punching holes in the John Kyrle defence and getting on the score sheet twice. Olly Scriven also piled over and John Pearce showed good gas and foottwork to outfox the defence. With Monmouth dominating, Bailey Nash had a fine solo effort from his own half and Ben Jones got his first MCS try. Final score: 40-12. The final group stage game saw MCS travel to Dene Magna, a team we knew little about. It was a tough encounter with Dene Magna putting up the biggest resistance Monmouth had seen all season. Bailey Nash continued his fine try scoring form and put MCS in front followed by a Jamie Strachan try. The opposition battled back with two good tries to within two points of MCS, 12-10. MCS looked in control but were dogged by injuries that changed the game. After losing three forwards through injury, Dene Magna had a breakaway try in the last play of the game to win the game 17-12. This meant Dene Magna won the group and MCS finished second. Both teams would meet in the Final the following week.

Going into the Final at Drybrook RFC, MCS were given a massive confidence boost with the return of John Pearce after injury. The boys were clearly fired up for the game and knew they had to up their performance after the previous week’s loss. Monmouth started brightly and flew into an early 14-0 lead with early tries from Jamie Strachan and Callum Wood; Harry Johnson adding the extras with some sublime kicking from the tee. Dene Magna battled back with two tries and MCS had a narrow 14-12 lead at half time. MCS showed their quality in the second half and produced some great running rugby. Sustained pressure led to a Troy Taylor- Morgan try but, again, Dene Magna battled back with another try to reduce the deficit. MCS were 19-15 up with only 10 minutes to play. Dene Magna continued to pressurise but MCS were determined to keep them at bay with skipper Morgan Wainewright putting his body on the line in a monstrous defensive display. In the last couple of minutes, Dene Magna looked like they were going to score to win the game as they crossed the try line but Xavier Turner somehow managed to dislodge the ball. Harry Johnson cleared his lines from the resulting scrum and Monmouth gained some territory. In the dying moments, Harry Johnson capped off a fine game with a defence splitting run that allowed the supporting John Pearce to finish under the posts. MCS were deserved winners 26-15 and Tri-County Champions!

Up next for MCS is a Newport Cup tie v Chepstow and more Newport School League fixtures to follow. A total of 29 boys have represented the Y8 rugby team so far and this big squad will be needed with all the fixtures coming up. Good luck for the rest of the season lads! MCS Tri-County Champions

Christmas Fair

A big thank you to everyone who supported the Year 7 th Christmas Fair on Friday 4 December. A grand total of £950 was raised. Well done to all the students involved, your hard work really paid off.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award

The aim of the Award is to inspire young people to get involved and open up their world to new interests, talents,

friends and fun so they may gain confidence to believe

anything’s possible.

2016 is the Diamond Anniversary of the Award and we are

pleased that over 130 Y10 students are participating this year

in the world’s leading youth achievement Award. Millions of

young people in the UK have taken part - pushing personal

boundaries, gaining new skills and enhancing their CVs and university applications.

For Y10, the practice expedition in May will take the students along the Wye Valley and over Little Doward to an overnight camp at the Biblins Campsite. Practising camp craft and navigation skills, this will be a great learning experience and vital preparation for the assessed expedition in the Black Mountains in June.

Catching up with the Drama Department

In October, 23 of our Y11 and 3 our Y13 Drama students took part in a physical theatre workshop led by Frantic Assembly. Frantic Assembly creates thrilling, energetic and unforgettable theatre and is very popular with new and young audiences with work that reflects contemporary culture.

Vivid and dynamic, Frantic Assembly's unique physical style workshop combined movement, design, music and text. This unique experience allowed our students to create some very sophisticated and visually exhilarating performances that left them feeling both motivated and inspired.

In October, 14 of our Y 12 Drama students went to Bath to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, this play was adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott and won 7 Olivier Awards including Best Play in 2013. The performance was outstanding with many of our students claiming that it has topped their favourite performance experience, opening their eyes to the possibilities of 21st Century multimedia design.

The students have reviewed the play as part of their Unit 1 AS examination.

Restorative Approaches

Several schools from Belgium visited us on 13th October 2015. Our guests spent the day talking to Senior Staff, Progress Leaders and the School Council followed by a tour of the school with Mr Williams. They were amazed at our restorative practice across the school and have invited some staff to visit their schools in Belgium.

Mark Penman, Principal of Hamilton West School in New Zealand also visited the school as part of his sabbatical, looking at restorative approaches across the world. He had heard so much about Monmouth Comprehensive School that he spent a day here talking to Mr Williams, Mr Davies and students. He also invited some staff to visit him and his school in New Zealand.

MCS PE Welcome Welsh

Welsh Cycling is looking for young sports people aged 13 – 15 years with speed and power. The target is athletes who excel in sporting disciplines such as long jump, high jump, sprinting (track and field), rugby and more. They attended Monmouth Comprehensive for ‘Sprint Identification’ testing in the search for enthusiastic young sports people with potential to become track sprinters. Wales has an enviable reputation in the discipline, most recently with the success of Double World Champion and Commonwealth medallist . Welsh Cycling, in partnership with MCS PE, are on the hunt for the next generation of sports people with potential to become world class athletes provided students with the opportunity to continue this success. Successful students from the identification process will then work with Welsh Cycling who will look to develop them into strong, skilful cyclists with the aim of them joining the Welsh Cycling Pathway and progressing to the Performance Pathway to represent Wales and Great Britain at World Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. The identification process consisted of Watt-bike testing, with three efforts on a static bike, and a vertical jump test.

MCS students have had huge success in the Senior Mathematics Challenge this term.

The following students achieved a Bronze certificate:

Hay Tung Tsang Bethan Morgan James Williams Philippa Parry Thomas Day Annicca Prince Gurpreet Bal Sam Smith Herman Bal

The following students achieved a Silver certificate:

Benjamin Warmington Rory Gordon Sam Winder Benjamin Main Oliver Hedges Iwan Hazlewood James Green Lewis Bell Matty Wilkes

The following students achieved Gold and achieved so high they are through to the next “Senior Kangaroo” round which takes place on 27th November (we are still awaiting the results from this round).

Harry Lloyd Lara Gordon Natasha Chandra