Issue 12 • Summer 2016 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 12 - Summer 2016 Student Art

Holly Sproul

Andrew Cole

Nicole Bradshaw Chloe Dunmore

Cassie De St Croix

Bradley Smith Ellen Wise

Cyd Rawlins

Ellen Wise

Abby Carrington Chloe Rushe Jade Corrin

Abigail Birchall Lauren Terrell Kelly McGurk Millie Sutton

2 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Back to the Future Contents This academic year, saw the actual day when the film ‘Back to the 2 Student Art 3 Back to the Future Future’ was set, 21st October 2015. Around the world, there was much 3 Editorial celebration and comparison to what had been predicted in the film. The 4 A Year in the Life... 6 Head Girl and Boy hope for the future, and predicting what might be, is a constant theme 7 Student Art 8 Sporting Round-up of school and educators. 15 Head in the Clouds 16 Designing J.I.M. fond memories left behind. But I 17 Downhill all the way! believe that it was a great step towards 18 Krakow - Easter 2016 modern education in Monmouth.” 20 Renishaw Engineering Trip 20 CERN 2016 Our school magazine, which records 21 Maddie and Millie the lives of our students, will sometime 22 Interview with Non Evans in the future be read by people who 23 Student Art have not yet been born. The future, 24 Let the Sun Shine….. 25 Going Beyond The Book whilst different, will also be familiar. 26 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards One thing, though, that will not change 26 Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is that Monmouth Comprehensive will 27 Stables to Studios be a comprehensive school that will 28 Rowing Update 2016 33 Determination aim to inspire, enthuse, motivate and 34 Japan’s World Scout Jamboree 2015 nurture for generations to come. 36 Ski 2016 37 My Vocational Years The reflections from students in 1977 38 Cricket Without Boundaries are testament to the message of ‘Back 40 Battlefields Trip to the Future’. 41 Maths at MCS 44 Student Art In 1977, our school opened as a Vaughan Davies 45 Youth Speaks Comprehensive School. A new building Headteacher 2016 46 Summer Learning 2015 48 ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ opened and the school changed to 49 Student Design & Technology Work meet the needs of an ever-growing 50 MCS Eisteddfod community. I have found the School 51 Student Design & Technology Work Magazine from 1977 and within the 52 Forensic Toxicology Editorial 52 Faulty Communications statements from former students of 53 Components of an excellent lesson their predictions, I discovered this 54 Monmouthshire Business Awards statement of hope. 54 Student Art 55 Trip to Cadbury World “Reflecting now, I realise that we could 56 Literacy in Sport not achieve what we wanted if we 57 Premier League Reading Stars have remained in the old buildings. 58 Art Update 59 Emphasis on health and wellbeing With the comparatively roomier buildings 59 Academies Update of the new school the teachers were 60 Domino Effect also given more scope; classes could 60 Cambrian Patrol be split to do different subjects, if they 61 Workshop Drama so choose. 62 Spain Sports Tour 64 Quoi de Neuf? - Was Gibt’s? When I think of the hundreds of pupils 68 Music at MCS that have passed through the 70 A Musical Interlude 71 Monmouth Women’s Festival Secondary School in years gone by, 72 Blood Brothers’ Review I wonder if they have ever thought 74 Charity Matters of what they might have achieved 76 Student Design & Technology Work had they been given the same Just room for me to squeeze in 77 BBC Deadline Dilemma 78 MCS Alumni opportunities, conditions and facilities. grateful thanks to our wonderful 79 Learning with Friends I am perfectly sure that for both group of sponsors who remain with 80 Out of School Achievements teachers and pupils there could only us, through thick and thin. 86 School and Year Council Update 87 Student Design & Technology Work have been advantages in the move, I hope you enjoy this year’s edition, we 88 As I start... As I finish... and that no-one regretted it, although have lots to tell you about. I suspect there were probably some School Photography by Des Pugh, Wendy Baker, Editor Official School Photographer 3 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 A Year in the Life...

Before we relate the high points of the year, and totally out of In October, the Drama Department ventured out to the time sync, a picture paints a thousand words.... theatre to see Blood Brothers (see page 72) and the Curious good old Mildred! Incident of the Dog in the Night and the MCS Friends welcomed old and new to their very successful Quiz Night. Excitement fizzled as Interserve started on the Temporary Block that would house the residents of the Admin Corridor, Drama and Geography and we all watched with great interest as foundations were laid and the classrooms/offices were lowered into place. Y7 decked the halls for the Christmas Fair and Mr Michael almost found himself a fiancée at the Y7 Pantomime, much to everyone’s amusement! Wonderful Twitter photo op, Mr Michael but how did you explain that lipstick?! Christmas saw MCS The Leader 2016 folder opened, send a call out to ready to receive articles for this issue of the magazine as the former students, via old year ended and the new year unfolded. The Beacon, to join Summer Learning Week weather kept fine and students Future First, a enjoyed themselves at various activities including a visit to Tipi charity that builds Adventures for the first time (see page 46) which was highly a network of recommended. former students to come back The Annual Summer Showcase saw a stunning array of talent to work with from the Faculty of Performing and Expressive Arts followed current students by the second Monmouth Literary Festival… (see page 25) at MCS. Details The Telegraph even wondered if we were the next Hay of this exciting Festival!. venture may Year 6 students joined us for their MCS Welcome days, be found on followed by the Friday Night Disco (or red faced sweatathon!) page 78. to end their week. Students visited France (see page 42) and the Battlefields (see page 40) to round off the Summer Term. We were delighted to welcome Welsh athlete Non Evans to the school for Awards Evening on 10 September. Prior to the Awards presentation, Sixth Form students Meg and Katie took the opportunity to interview Non about her life in sport - I think we can safely say she wowed them - an interview you will find on page 22. A new Award took pride of place this year - The Bryony Hammersley Award, in memory of our late colleague. The Award, for work/contribution in the community, was presented by Mr & Mrs Hammersley. Work started on the Y11 Yearbook and throughout the next six months photographs first trickled, then flooded, in. Thank you to all the parents who sent baby photos - not sure how we will top this next year! We welcomed hundreds of students and their parents to Open Evening at the end of September, giving them all a taste of life at MCS.

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January disappeared in a flurry of Parents’ Evenings and the Charity Committee found themselves busy taking orders for News from the MCS Valentine delivery - love was definitely in the air. Miles Morgan Travel… We took on a new Receptionist but, after a very poor Miles Morgan Travel are delighted to support performance, we had to let him go! Mrs Jones breathed a sigh of relief as she reclaimed her seat. Monmouth Comprehensive School. Our shop on Monnow Street continues to go from strength March saw Geography move into the new T Block and - to strength; our Foreign Exchange Bureau has also had a drumroll here - Music set up home in the old Geography record year due to our great rates. We have also been joined Rooms. Then the moment finally arrived on 24 March, as by Sarah Jones, the ex-Manager at Thomas Cook in Reception and the Admin Corridor packed their boxes, wiped Monmouth. We would like to thank all of our loyal away a tear and Mr Davies raised his (construction) hat to the customers for their support and look forward to being of old building as we left for the final time. service again in the future. Eight days later Reception was unpacked and ready to roll (or limp) into action for the Summer term when Mrs Jones greeted everyone with a smile and a slightly bemused air as she searched for her wrongly placed belongings! Easter trips included the Sports Tour to Spain (pages 62), the Humanities Krakow trip (page 18) and the annual Ski/Snowboarding trip (page 36). The new Rugby Sevens Tournaments for Years 7, 8 and 9 launched and were very well received by local schools and will now become an annual event. Just in time for this year’s issue, four of our students - Hannah Pope, Annicca Prince, Jess Netherway and Natasha Chandra - were part of the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band, winners of the Youth Band Cymru 2016, shown on S4C. Well done ladies! Our footballers did us proud with Senior and Y7 teams bringing home the Newport Cup after two thrilling Finals. Our Y7 Rugby Sevens team also ended the year on a high as Y7 Newbridge Sevens Champions. We now have nearly 1,500 followers on Twitter - @LearnwithMCS - but always have room for more! Follow us to keep updated on events, trips etc. MCSFA have recently launched on Twitter - @MCSfriends - follow them to keep updated on fundraising activities for the school. We’ll finish as we started, well done Mildred, we look forward to more rafts of ducklings around the school!

5 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Head Girl and Boy Philippa Parry Head Girl Reuben Being Head Girl can cause headaches, give you sleepless nights and reinforce the need for a good sense of humour. For every occasion you consider yourself Pierrepoint not ready for the role, there are a gazillion moments where you count your lucky stars that someone believed in you, and chose you for what is an Head Boy incredible experience. It is only now that I When the new team was announced in April last year I can honestly say my approach the end of my mind went blank. Saying I was shocked is an understatement, with so many time at MCS with incredible candidates in my Year, I never thought I'd be wearing the yellow alarming speed that I badge that sits so proudly on my shirt. Once the elation had passed, I looked look back and realise what a successful year this has been for our school. at those who were surrounding me and realised this was the team that Despite the piecemeal dismantling of the building, the school has continued would be by my side every step of the way, and, quite frankly, I couldn’t have to run calmly and smoothly – a testament to the students and staff; our asked for a better one. A familiar face, Reuben, whom I've known since the students have excelled both inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, it first day of Raglan VC Primary School, would now become my ‘partner in is with anticipation and no small amount of sadness, that I enter my final crime’ as we took on the new challenge that faced us. Two unfamiliar faces; term at Monmouth Comprehensive. Being in the Upper Sixth, particularly as despite being in the same school year for six years, I hadn’t had the pleasure Head Boy, is a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience. The discussions of meeting Grace and George but this role has allowed me to form two new in class have been engaging and thought-provoking and, in my role as Head friendships and I only wish we’d met sooner. At the start of the journey the Boy, I have met many different people and had the pleasure of participating four of us stood there not knowing what was ahead and, after working in a range of events. It was great to see the whole school during the Open together, through what has been a packed year, I believe that this team is Evenings for both Years 7 and 12 (doing three subjects at A-Level, you seem equipped to handle anything that is thrown their way. to find yourself in a select few areas); fielding questions from prospective This said, I don't think this team would have been quite as successful if it students on the various aspects of life at MCS from food (a top priority) to wasn't for the watchful eye of Mr Davies. On the day of enrolment I was timetables and an opportunity to see some of the more exciting science quickly warned that I'd need to be prepared for a lot of meetings, and they equipment. weren't wrong; but there was always one meeting I looked forward to our Perhaps the most complex and demanding event of the year was the weekly one with Mr Davies and that isn’t just because he gave us chocolate! ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ competition. Judges, venues, food, drink, raffle There wasn't one of those meetings at which we didn't finding ourselves prizes and tickets had to be sourced, and the school’s best talent to be laughing at least once, amongst all the speech writing and rehearsal planning; found. Such a mammoth task would not have been achievable without the my day always seemed a little bit brighter walking out of our Tuesday meetings. dedication, support, and leadership provided by Philippa, Grace, George and My first role as Head Girl was, as the whole role has been, unexpected. We the Prefect Team - to this day Philippa reminds me of the rehearsal, meeting found ourselves serving canapés and drinks at the Leavers’ Reception to or article that has inevitably slipped my mind. It was thanks to these people, those who made the footprints we would follow. It was very uplifting and as well as Reem, Sam and their teams from HMSG and Monmouth School, daunting as we listened to the speeches of the departing Head Boy and Girl that such an enjoyable evening ran so seamlessly – and congratulations, of as they addressed their Year. In that moment I hoped I could make my Year course, to Bronwen Davies on her success, and to all the other acts who half as proud of us as the Year 13s were of them. performed in the final. An element of the role which was expected were the speeches, but by no Despite these successful evenings and all the fun I have had, there were means did this make them any easier. From Awards’ Evening to Year 7 and more sombre events that reminded me of the responsibility of the role. On Sixth Form Open Evenings, the nerves never eased but the pride that you feel Remembrance Day, Philippa and I joined the town in honouring those from standing on that stage representing the school outweighs it all. our community who made the ultimate sacrifice. Reaching out to the community formed a large part of my role as Head Boy, and I had the As with every role, there are some surprises and this one was no exception. pleasure of attending the County Councillors’ dinner last year, as well as When hearing my name called out I never would have thought that being showing the Estyn inspectors our school when they visited in the autumn. I Head Girl meant I’d be dressing up as Mrs Claus in order to serve Christmas have learnt much from the people I met, and the role has taught me how Dinner (I am still yet to live this down) or stand up in the middle of the to interact with others on more formal occasions; I now feel more canteen to dance to Shakira for Comic Relief! At the time, I won’t deny, my connected to the school and Monmouth generally than I did in September. embarrassment levels hit the roof but, looking back, it only added to the enjoyment of the role and my good sense of humour really came in handy. More recently I was involved with the Fashion Show, itself a part of the process to bring in a new uniform. The evening was great fun and ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ gave me a new found respect for all event significantly, student-led, a characteristic that I feel represents the wider organisers, because no matter how many spreadsheets, lists and timetables school ethos. It was also effective - by the end of the show I fancied one of were created, the pressure of organising an event could not be relieved. the jackets for myself. The feedback from the audience was invaluable. Nevertheless, it was one of the proudest moments of my life, when I stood on stage with the Heads from HMSG and Monmouth School and put our So it is with a strong sense of nostalgia that I look back upon my year as names to an event that raised over £2,500 for charity. It made all the time Head Boy and my time at this school in general. I was lucky enough to have spent organising worth it, seeing a happy audience and the event going off a Sixth Form leadership team that was so supportive, and with whom I felt without a hitch, plus the added benefit of meeting students from the other completely at home. We have joked and laughed through all the stress and schools in Monmouth. mayhem of the Upper Sixth and have, for the most part, survived relatively intact. As part of a wider Year Group, I could not wish for a better group of Now, knowing how much you have to rely on your team and how you have people with which to share the past seven years; we have smashed records to work together to fulfil your roles as a collective, I knew that our last and shared some amazing memories that I will take with me through life. decision that we had to make as a team was of the upmost importance - selecting our successors. The day we spent interviewing filled me with pride, Perhaps the significance of the mantra ‘Learning to Lead our Lives’ has seeing so many exceptional people being passionate and showing escaped me for some time. As I come frighteningly close to the beginning enthusiasm for the role. As a result of this, I feel I can sleep easy at university of university life with all its challenges, I face it in the knowledge that the knowing that the school is in safe hands and hope that they get as much people of this school have given me the education and personal experiences out of the role as I have. that are required to navigate the adult world. My short time as Head Boy has demonstrated to me the numerous ways in which this school is a pioneer Now I have come to the end of my time as Head Girl, I only have what is within education, and I am very excited to know the buildings will soon probably going to be the hardest feat that I will face in the role; not the reflect this. I hope that someday soon I can enviously walk through that new nerves of speeches or the immense organisation needed for ‘Monmouth's school, and proudly comment to the students that, although spectacular, Got Talent’ but addressing my Year at the Leavers’ Reception and having to the new building doesn’t quite have the charm of the leaky ceilings and fathom the words that will truly express what this school and my Year Group 1980s architecture that is the MCS I know! mean to me.

6 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Art

Isabel Sadler

Jeena Sriphan

Jaisy Davies Kelly McGurk

Mae Brickley

Ellie Webb

Millie Sutton Kitty Jones

Ceri Jackson Emily Bagshaw

Millie Sutton Alex Trigg

Amber Wilkes Emily Perks Merrydith Russell

7 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Sporting Round-up

Y8 Football Y9 Football The Y8 squad has had another good A successful season saw the Y9 team season, playing 22 games and winning reach the Newport Cup final for the 19. They’ve scored 91 goals in total with second year in a row after beating striker Johnny Dunckley leading the Welsh Champions Chepstow 3-1 in the scoring charts with 25 goals. Thirty two semi-final. players have represented the Y8 football team this season and they even managed to field two teams against local rivals Y8 Rugby Monmouth School. In the Welsh Cup, a The Y8 rugby team had a great season. Y10/Y11 Futsal Gwent Cup Champions long journey to Swansea saw MCS take Led by captain Morgan Wainewright, on Pontarddulais . MCS played some they finished top of the Newport Futsal great football in horrible conditions and Schools League and reached two Cup Y10/Y11 boys fielded two teams for the battled to a hard fought 2-1 win thanks Finals. Unfortunately they finished Gwent Cup U16 Finals and both teams to a stoppage time goal from Captain runners-up in the Newport Cup Final, got to the final with Monmouth A Dan Brain. A tough draw in the quarter losing to a strong Caerleon team. They the eventual winners. As Gwent finals against defending champions did, however, come out victorious in the Champions, they went on to represent Glantaf saw MCS bow out after a 2-0 Tri-Counties Cup, winning 26-15 Newport County at the area finals where defeat. That was the first time in two years against Dene Magna. In total they’ve they finished runners up after narrowly this Year Group had failed to score in a played 19 games, only losing four. losing out to Exeter City. In the Girls game. To reach the last eight teams in They’ve scored 84 tries this season, 19 U16 Gwent Cup, our Y9 team did Wales, however, was a fantastic achievement. of those coming from top try scorer brilliantly to reach the final but narrowly In the Newport Cup, as defending Jamie Strachan. In total, 38 players have lost to the Y10/Y11 team from Caerleon. champions, MCS were looking to win represented the Y8 rugby team this year. the Cup for a consecutive season. This is a fantastic achievement and this Unfortunately, this was not to be as they squad will be needed with both League lost 1-0 to Caerleon. This was a huge and Cup commitments next season. The disappointment after beating Caerleon 2016/2017 season sees this team enter convincingly twice earlier in the season. the Welsh Cup for the first time and they They took this disappointment as have a real chance of progressing in the motivation in the Gwent Cup and put in competition. Good luck for next season! a great performance against Oakdale and won 6-4 to progress to the semi-finals. A Gwent Cup would be the great way to end a fantastic season. Good luck to the Y9 Runners Up boys in the semi-finals this summer. Rugby Sevens MCS held KS3 rugby sevens tournaments at the start of the summer term, to cap off a great year of rugby. Sixteen teams played in each MCS Y8 Rugby tournament and it was great to have Tri-County Champions schools from the South Wales Valleys, Y9 Rugby The Y9 Sevens Squad reached the semi-finals of the Newbridge Sevens Tournament in April and hope to go one game further and win the MCS Sevens The Y8 football team that reached Competition. Jay Harris and Ben Pilot the quarter finals of the Welsh Cup were top scorers with four tries each.

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Cardiff, Newport and across the border The U13 squad were very unlucky to with a slender 14-12 lead after Williams in England attending. Each tournament lose 4-3 to a very strong Blackwood ran in his and his side’s third try which had a Cup and Plate competition. St team in the third round of the Welsh was converted by David Jones. Jordan John’s Aberdare won the Y7 Cup Cup. The U15s team put in a great Ball scored in the corner early on to competition with Ysgol Bro Edern from performance to draw 3-3 against a increase the lead to 18-12 before a Cardiff winning the Plate. In Y8, strong Wyedean team. Both teams have breakaway try from Jacob Williams, Aberdare won the Cup competition been captained well by Chelsea Willets improved by Jones, gave Y Strade a two- and Croesyceiliog the Plate. These and Amber Stamp Dunstan. try cushion. Stefan Williams burst of tournaments were a great success and we speed increased Y Strade’s lead further, will look to make this an annual event. Jay Gallagher converting, then two tries, Grateful thanks to Monmouth RFC for both from kick-off, made it 40-12. hosting the tournaments and funding the Steffan Collins and Tyler Pugsley the cup and medals. scorers, Gallagher slotting over the first of the conversions. Monmouth struck back with two tries of their own, both from Ieaun Evans with Bret Thomas converting the second. It was, however, too big a lead for Monmouth to claw back and Y Strade cemented their win with a Rhys Ratner The U15 squad reached the last 16 in try in the corner. Well done to the Y11 Wales where they lost to last year’s team on reaching the Final. winner, Cardiff High. Rugby League Rugby First XV Another great season by MCS. Although After a comprehensive win over a the season began with a mixed bag of strong St John’s Aberdare side in the results, MCS finished the season semi-finals with a 46-22 victory, strongly to finish top of the Newport MCS Y11 faced Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade Schools Division and earning a place in from Llanelli in the Y11 Champion Schools Final at Girls Football Virginia Park Rugby Club in Caerphilly. Girls football has seen over 30 girls A fairly even first half representing MCS at U15 and U13 this saw tries in the corner year. Continuing on from the success from Jacob Williams shown last year, both teams have gave Y Strade an represented the school in the Welsh Cup. early 8-0 first half lead. Monmouth struck back through an Ellis Brown try which Bret Thomas converted, before taking the lead after a breakaway try from Lewis Davies. A the Welsh Schools play-offs. The play-off second conversion took the score to 12- saw MCS play Crickhowell in the Gwent 8. However, Y Strade went into half-time Cup Final. This game was played in

9 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 good spirits with two determined teams every game, the girls displaying great enthusiasm in poor went through to the conditions. Crickhowell eventually semi-finals of the overcame MCS to be crowned Gwent League, competing Champions, taking their place in the against teams from knockout stages of the Welsh Schools the other League. League. In the semi-final the girls beat Representative St Josephs 3-2 with a hat-trick from Honours Tillie Westwood. The team then Tom Reynolds and Jake Vaughan gained progressed through representative honours this season with to the final where Crawshays. Both Tom and Jake played they faced Caldicot. against Monmouth School with Tom A strong Caldicot gaining further representation playing team put a lot of against Christ College, Brecon. pressure on the Monmouth defence who maintained been some exceptional performances Subway Player their composure. The Monmouth from the team and they should be midfield and attack responded positively extremely proud of their achievements of the Match by creating numerous opportunities to this academic year, well done girls! take the lead. After some good attacking Mike Baram from Subway Monmouth play by the team Tillie Westwood put Boys kindly donated rugby balls to the school Monmouth ahead with a strong strike and joined the school in the Healthy The U12 team played in the South Wales into the corner of the goal. Monmouth Foods initiative by sponsoring the Player Boys Hockey Tournament in Swansea. held strong and managed to maintain the of the Match awards for all teams. The tournament was of an extremely one goal advantage throughout the high standard this year and Monmouth remainder of the match. This led to had to play a round-robin tournament Hockey Monmouth becoming South East against Christ College Brecon, Glan Taf, Wales U12 champions, an excellent Gwyr and Llanishen. With Max Lewis achievement, well injured in the first five minutes of the done girls. tournament, the squad were down a player. Monmouth played some Y8/9 Girls excellent hockey and finished the The U14 team have tournament in 4th place after one win, competed within the one draw and two losses. Joe Henry was South East Wales top goal scorer. League throughout the academic year. The girls have had mixed results with an equal number of wins and losses. It’s pleasing to say that all the team have made improvements in their individual skills, as well as their Y7 Girls: Eli Gethin, Tillie Westwood, Peaches Hale, understanding of Y9, Y10, Y11 Maddie Francis, Gemma Williams, Ella Morgan, their roles and The U16 squad travelled to Christ Layla Rollings, Brodie Templeton and Lily Mather responsibilities within the team. College Brecon to compete in the South Hockey at Monmouth Comprehensive Wales’ Boys Tournament. The standard School has had many successes this Y10/11 Girls of hockey being played was extremely academic year. The U16 team have had a really strong high and Monmouth demonstrated that they deserved to be competing against Y7 Girls League run which has helped them to finish as runners up in South East Wales. some of the top teams in South Wales. The Y7 hockey team has played in one of The team have won all of their games Monmouth finished 3rd after the round- the two South East Wales’ Leagues from except to Croesyceiliog School who robin tournament, securing wins against September until March. After winning eventually won the League. There have Llanishen and Fitzalan and losing

10 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 narrowly to Christ College and Glan Taf. The majority of the boys are currently in Newport East Welsh Cycling Y10 and, therefore, will have an Serena Natt (9PY), Luke Rogers (9KO) opportunity to compete in next year’s Schools’ Athletics and Jessica Long-West (9KO) were all competition. selected to be part of the Welsh Cycling Championships Sprint Team after initially being selected Thirty of our students from Y9, 10 and by a school sprint ID initiative, followed 11, were involved in the competition this by a number of talent identification trials. year, which took place at Spytty Park in Newport. All athletes gave it their best with some achieving a personal best. Some impressive performances came from Freddie Oubridge Brock and Bob Williams in Y10 and Y11 and Josie Harrison and Harriet Kearsey in Y9. The Middle Boy’s relay team finished in first place with the Junior Girl’s Relay team winning in 58.16 seconds. Those who came first or second would qualify for the County Championships being held Netball on the 3rd May. The Y9 Netball team came second in Sophie Pope was delighted with her their group in the South East Wales Individual Success PB time in the 100m, finishing in 13.03 Netball League this year. A special seconds! Well done Sophie. mention goes to Cerys Hughes, Serena Rory Calderwood (left) Congratulations to Jim Lovejoy who Natt and Hope Woods for consistently performing to their full potential. Sophie Rory has been selected to represent qualified in two events, taking first place Pope has also been a welcome addition Wales and has recently competed in a in both the 200m and 800m. to the squad and has made exceptional test series in Switzerland for the Under Fifteen students will compete to progress this year. Well done girls!! 16 squad. Rory competed in both 5-a- represent Newport East County on side matches as well as full 11-a-side May 3rd. The Y7 Netball team are unbeaten this season which is an exciting prospect as games. One highlight of the series was Harriet Kearsey - 200m & relay Rory scoring a hat-trick in a 5-a-side they enter the League in September Sophie Pope - 100m, high jump, 2016, when they enter Y8. match. He also scored two goals in the long jump & relay full sided matches and helped Wales go Darcy Maguire - Discus on to win the series. An excellent Josie Harrison - Javelin achievement and we wish Rory the very Natasha Makondora - Relay best of luck for his future in the Welsh Arwen Van De Horst - Relay squad. Robert Peterson - 200m & relay Alex Beddoes - Triple jump Dan Mills (right) Jim Lovejoy - 200m, 800m & relay Dan has played hockey for South Wales Kellan Jenkins - 100m & relay and has been involved in the Junior Robert Williams - Shot put Regional Performance System. Dan has Freddie Oubridge Brock - Triple jump recently been selected for National Age Sean Swann Mcbride - Relay Group Training for Wales and we wish Kyron Smith - 1500m him the very best of luck. Rory Calderwood - Relay Welsh Schools Trampoline Championships On 29th November 2015, 11 girls from MCS competed in the Welsh Schools Trampoline Championships held at Monmouth Leisure Centre. Two hundred and sixty three competitors represented schools from across Wales.

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With three 2nd place team trophies and Unfortunately, Rose was unable to a silver individual medal for the School, attend to due to illness, so the team was the teams, along with India, were able to unable to compete. compete in the next round of India trains with Freefallers trampoline the competition; the Central Zonal club in Abertillery and the other girls Trampoline Competition. train at Monmouth Trampoline Club. Held on 23rd January 2016 at Sports The girls were all very pleased with their Wales National Centre in Cardiff, the 1st performances and the training they did and 2nd place teams and top three leading up to the two competitions. All In the Novice U14 girls, Spring Williams individuals in each group from Wales, the girls would like to thank Mr Penny from Y7, competing in her very first West Midlands, East Midlands and and the School for all their support competition, had a very good score of Eastern regions competed against each during the competitions. They are 41.60. other for a place in the finals. looking forward to November 2016 In the Intermediate U14 girls, from The standard at the Zonal competition when they can try again. Hopefully then, Y9, Kirsty Maylin scored 41.97 and was very high. The score for the there will be even more students Bethan Carlton scored 24.47. In the Intermediate U14 girls team of Kirsty, representing MCS. same group, Kaitlyn Newman from Bethan and Kaitlyn was 134.0. This Y8, in her first year of competitions, placed them 7th, ahead of Abertillery GCSE PE managed 9th place with a score of 42.67. Comprehensive. Together the girls made a team and Practical achieved 2nd place. In the Intermediate U19 girls, Moderation Darcy Birkett scored 44.80 to get into GCSE PE Practical Moderation was a 10th place out of 17 competitors. Zoe huge success this year, with Y11 students Lambert scored 44.40, Taryn Birkett conducting themselves superbly during scored 43.20 and Laura Pritchard 24.00. the day and really demonstrating what a These girls also made a team and talented sporting Year Group they are. achieved 2nd place. In the Elite U19 girls, India Marshall scored an impressive 59.10, missing out Monmouth Town on first place by 0.70! In the same group, Rose Jorgensen-Rideout scored 44.80 Football Success and Dawn Dainty scored 44.50. India's The Intermediate U19 girls team, again Students from Y9 (now Y10) had a score meant that she got an individual made up of Darcy, Laura, Zoe and terrific season at Monmouth Town 2nd place and the three girls, as a team, Taryn, managed a score of 133.4. This winning the Gwent County Cup. They achieved 2nd place. placed them 7th in their group ahead of had stiff opposition in the semi-final Neath Port Talbot College. beating Garden City JFC. After going In the Elite U19 girls, India achieved a 1-0 down, Sean Swann Mcbride's score of 54.60 to be placed fifth out of 12. stunning Ronaldoesque free kick from

12 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

The second half started fiercely - Griffithstown attacked with wave after wave of crosses and drives into the penalty area. Josh Ellis, in goal, had his finest hour (earning himself the coveted MoM trophy) and dominated his box, catching cross after opposition cross; frustrating the Griffithstown attack who were quickly running out of ideas. Sean Swann Mcbride put the game to bed when he pounced on a fine pass from the left and struck hard into the bottom corner. Monmouth were victorious 4-1 winners and Gwent County Cup Champions! Monmouth were then selected, as winners, to travel to Aberystwyth to represent Gwent against South Wales and Mid Wales County Champions select teams. What a fantastic outside the penalty area sent the game to What joy when Monmouth started experience, travelling by coach with their extra time. Andy Beames then sent quickly out of the blocks and scored first fans to run out as Gwent Champions Monmouth through to the Final with a with a great goal from Monmouth and test themselves against the best cheeky chip over the goalie to the rapture School player, George Anthony. Great U14's in Wales. The day proved to be a of the Monmouth crowd. Monmouth work in defence by Larsson Brown, tough one for the team, losing both made it to their first ever County Final! Harri Nash, and In the Final they had to face a Rory Meredith kept Griffithstown team who were unbeaten the opposition quiet for two years! All the talk in the Gwent whilst midfielders, League was how many Griffithstown Ben Jones, Jordan would score against a relatively unknown Suttie, Kyron Smith Monmouth side. Not fazed by the and Lee (Lakers underdog billing, Monmouth travelled to School) carved out Risca for the Final. Griffithstown did their creative chances for best to intimidate Monmouth with a noisy the strikers Sean All Blacks style warm up! However the Swann Mcbride and boys had self-belief, having had an Andy Beames and already successful season and being sore George; who went from losing the league title by one goal; on to score two they were not in the mood to lie down easily! more fine goals. games, 2-0 and 3-0 respectively. However, the team had a wonderful experience and a benchmark to aim for next season. As a relatively modest club, all can be very proud of their wonderful season. Monmouth U14 Squad: Sean Swann Mcbride captain and striker, Andy Beames, Striker, George Anthony Right Wing (Monmouth School), Louis McPherson Left Wing, Ben Jones Attacking Midfield, Jordan Suttie Midfield, Greg Powell (injured) Midfield/Centre Half, Kyron Smith Right Back, Jacob Dover Centre Back, Harri Nash Centre Back, Larsson Brown Centre Back, Rory Meredith Left Back, Lee Dicks (Lakers School) Midfield, Tom Howells Right Back, Josh Ellis Goalkeeper, Mason Hughes Defense, Ryan Bamford Midfield/Reserve Keeper.

13 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

conversions. The second half started STOP PRESS as the first had finished with MCS Newport Cup in ascendance with Wayte again on Final Results: hand to score Senior Football another brace of Won 3-2 v. Cross Keys College - fantastic tries. The Newport Cup Champions. Goals from: final whistle Alex Cleaves and Jordan Heale s 2. MoM sounded soon after Jordan Heales. Berry added the extras and MCS Year 9 Football were through to the Lost 3-0 v. Duffryn High School - Finals against Lewis Boys. Fast forward Newport Cup Runners Up. MoM James Rugby Sevens three weeks and MCS met Lewis Boys Greaney. May 2016 - it was another great back at Newbridge for the winner takes Year 7 Football all ‘A’ team Finals. Lewis Boys opened performance on the Sevens Circuit for Won 2-1 v. St Julians. Goals from Ben the scoring early on in the game but our Y7 boys team, demonstrating their Scotford and Tommy Tynon . dominance in the group stages of the ‘A’ MCS struck back with a brace of tries Team pool in the Newbridge Sevens apiece for Joe Wayte and Will Lovejoy. Tournament. MCS comfortably won The final whistle sounded on what was a their group and progressed to the knock resounding victory for MCS 31-10. out stages of the competition. It was Team: Joseph Henry, Kian Burton, there that they were met by a strong Seren Strong-Wright, Will Heath, Abersychan team in the Semi-Finals. George Merritt (C), Joseph Park, MCS conceded a try in the opening Sam Berry, Joseph Wayte, Ethan Hancock, minute of the game but Joe Wayte put James Johnson, Will Lovejoy and MCS back into the lead with two well Oliver Riba-Fookes. taken tries and Sam Berry kicked both

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14 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Head in the Clouds

Flying has been a passion of mine my whole life - I was first inspired by my grandfather’s tales of flying Tiger Moth biplanes over Africa with the RAF in WW2. At the age of 15 I took my first flying lesson and was instantly hooked. A year or so later I began working towards my Private Pilot's Licence, or PPL, with Cotswold Aero Club.

I spent the majority of my course flying a reliability and responsibility of flying single engine, four seater, Robin DR400 - started to set in, as helpful as the lovingly called 'DJ' by the instructors after instructors are, you really have to learn to its registration, G-BKDJ. do these things yourself. It was very one step ahead and know what to do if something goes wrong. As my instructor, DJ was a brilliant aircraft to learn in, stable different to anything else I’d ever done but Peter Dunkley told me: “You can’t let these and forgiving - yet with enough I passed each exam on my first attempt. things faze you.” idiosyncrasies to keep it interesting. Beyond this came the ever-famous first You learn that there’s no such thing as a After a few lessons in DJ I began to learn solo, an exciting once in a lifetime stressful situation, only a stressful reaction. the more advanced and challenging aspects opportunity - completing one circuit of flying, starting with advanced turns, without an instructor. It was a thrilling Shortly after was my test - a challenging stalls and climbing/descending at a fixed experience, especially as I was 'buzzed' by a two hour flight with my instructor rate and airspeed. I soon developed a real C-130 sporting four 4000hp engines a few involving navigation, flying on instruments love of flying and began to get a feel for it. short minutes before my take-off! (no looking out of the window), Towards the end of my AS Levels we Once I had completed my first solo I radio navigation, good old-fashioned began doing circuits, a way of practising started learning navigation, meteorology, triangulation, stalls and engine failures and take-offs and landings through a series of human factors and the technical side of the it felt more like a rollercoaster ride than a ‘touch and goes’; taking off immediately course which involved a lot about engines test. Pre-flight nerves aside, it actually after landing and flying around in a and what to do when they start making turned out to be an enjoyable experience. rectangular pattern before landing again. funny noises! Two weeks later my licence arrived. This was the longest part of the course for It was really interesting to learn, there was Unfortunately, it was another two months me as it presented the steepest learning a lot of work in the form of five large books before I could fly due to bad weather but curve. Flying at 100mph whilst having to for the nine exams but self-studying when it came to it and I felt the wheels of manage altitude, heading, relative position became a lot easier and I like to think that my aircraft, G-BKDJ (DJ for short) gently to the runway, adjusting for wind, checking I’ve become a better learner as a result of lift off the asphalt, just me, my girlfriend, instruments and making radio calls to air my summer hitting the books. Some and the whole sky, it all felt incredibly traffic control was a lot to memorise and aspects, such as the meteorology section of worth it. execute at the same time! Soon enough it the course, I’ve been able to apply outside This was the biggest thing I took away started to feel more natural and I began of the airport daily - it’s still proving useful from achieving my PPL - the sense of practising engine failures and glide with A2 Geography. personal responsibility and skills involved approaches - preparing for my first solo! After I’d completed all the theory exams I with decision making. You’re really alone I started the theory over the summer had to make a three hour cross-country up there, solo. You’ve got Air Traffic holidays. Air law proved an incredibly dry flight, landing at two other airports and Control there to help you but when it subject, covering all aspects of controlled comes down to it, the decision is always airspace, weather minima and rights of way flying over one hundred nautical miles solo - an interesting experience as my compass yours as pilot in-command, and you have in the air. It was a different approach to to learn how to make the right one in good learning from school as it was mostly refused to behave the whole way, something I was very well trained and time. It took a while to get used to this kind working out of a textbook at home; it took of confidence but ultimately it’s completely a while to adjust to self-teaching and equipped to deal with, thanks to the instructors at Cotswold Aero Club. changed the way I approach life and testing myself. The exams were all multiple completing the PPL course is undoubtedly Random aircraft failures like this are choice, each around 15-20 questions with the best thing I’ve ever done. four possible options, the pass mark was something you have to accept, you’re not around 75%. At this point the self- exactly worrying, but you’ve always to plan Rory Bennett, 13KW

15 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Designing J.I.M. Once again this year, the school had a team of Year 12 Physics students involved in the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW). They are given a problem by professional engineers in October and try to develop a solution by March, when they present it at a national event alongside 70 other schools and colleges.

Our partner company, General Dynamics concentrating on designing and building component cost was still under £15. UK, makes vehicles for the army and a low cost, re-useable device that could The scheme involved two days in the suggested we try to design a device that be attached to a fragile consignment Engineering Department at Cardiff could monitor whether a vehicle was (including live animals or medical goods) University in December. We took being driven correctly, and record and would record incidents of advantage of their facilities to have a incidents in testing. We visited its site in mistreatment for analysis on arrival. printed circuit board (PCB) designed on Oakdale and saw prototype vehicles, test GDUK were excited by this and readily computer and robotically etched, and facilities and clever gadgets being agreed, as it frequently sends delicate have a case 3D printed to James Ralph’s invented that would have been at home components between Oakdale and its exact specification; maybe too exact – in a Bond movie. Back at school, to get Spanish factory. Thus J.I.M., the 'Journey there was only just enough room for the us started, we tried out an 'Ardupilot', a Incident Monitor' was born! components and the lid would not come low cost hobby device that Alex Allen off at first – you learn by doing! After already had. It was designed for some tricky soldering by Alex Allen, mounting onto model radio-controlled J.I.M. was finally complete! aircraft, and would give a 'pilot’s-eye' Flo Mayo and Harry Dalrymple worked view on a screen, as the craft banked and on the massive 40 page report; Bradley turned, and would give readings of speed Smith used his artistic talent to produce and position. This was sensing marketing materials, whilst Rory Gordon accelerations and rotations, which was prepared the working demonstration for what we needed, though our final the Award Ceremony. This was at the output would be very different. The new Engineering campus at Swansea essential electronics were easy to get University where there were exhibits from hold of and surprisingly cheap - cheap all the major engineering companies and enough to be worth using for a huge organisations, including the Bloodhound variety of applications. Rather than J.I.M. says it is your problem - supersonic car, and the chance to talk trying to duplicate the 'black box' already you dropped it at 2.45pm! about exciting apprenticeships, degree fitted by insurance companies to sponsorships and careers. monitor young drivers, we proposed The tiny accelerometer/gyroscopic sensor unit was linked to an Arduino microprocessor on a breadboard and, as we threw it about, it gave us our first data. Harry Burge and Theo Rook set about writing code to analyse this and give a textual and visual output. We added a micro SD card unit to store the data and took the insides out of a cheap phone charger, containing a rechargeable battery, to provide power. The total

16 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Downhill all the way!

I started riding in Downhill competitions when I was 10 years old at the local bike centre in the Forest of Dean. After doing a few of the local races, I really started to enjoy the sport and took part in a few races further away.

As I improved I was able to gain the accessible to ride abroad where ski necessary points to enable me to resorts become bike resorts and compete in the British Downhill Series chairlifts are modified to carry bikes - at national events. These events take much easier than pushing up! place across the country from ‘Bike It has been an exciting sport to be Park Wales’ in Merthyr Tydfil to Fort William in Scotland. At larger events involved in and I have met lots of you are able to ride the same track and interesting people. I have thoroughly be with World Champions who race in enjoyed the past six years of racing older categories. and am looking forward to the new season ahead. As the sport is increasing in popularity, it has become more William Thompson, 11RP

17 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Krakow - Easter 2016 School trips are designed to be educational and to enhance learning within the classroom. The Easter Krakow trip of 2016 started off with a mix of Year Groups from ten to thirteen who took History and/or Religious Studies, but I think that I speak for all 41 of us when I say that we became more of a family towards the end.

I honestly couldn’t imagine coming home The salt mines were huge and really were historic sites to see, and a lot of walking, for on the last day, because I was so used to made of salt, as Finn discovered by means which we received absolutely no sympathy going for hotel breakfast and walking of taste! There’s really no way to say it, but whatsoever from any of the teachers. We around Krakow all day and having Polish I can try and put it into perspective. saw Jewish synagogues, huge churches Costa at lunch (which is exactly the same We maybe walked 3km in our two hour with monumental tapestries and life-size as British Costa but much cheaper) that tour. That’s about 1% of the whole expanse gold figurines – or that was the original the prospect of going home to a familiar of the mines, which cover 287km in total intention. The fact that it was Easter bed and revision books and expensive town and 327 metres in depth – of which we Sunday was put to the side-lines as we coffee seemed like a distant memory. only visited 64 metres. And then there were marched from one church to the next the two or three chapels that we visited and loitering outside whilst one teacher or The flight to Katowice airport was long the chamber which saw the record- another went to ask if we would be allowed and tiresome, but upon arriving in Poland, breaking ‘first underground hot air balloon to interrupt their services with a party of we were quickly transferred to our first bus flight’, which went up further than I could 41? Needless to say the answer was no, which would take us to Krakow. At 1 am easily see (it was a bit dark down there, more often than not. However, we did Polish time (midnight in the UK), it didn’t 64 metres underground)! It was breath- manage to see lots of impressive doorways take anyone long to fall asleep, but by 3am, taking. and lobbies with magnificent paintings that when we arrived at the hotel, no one really shamed any British church that I have ever felt like sleeping. A relaxed start in the Having had to wait an hour and a quarter seen (a thank you to Henry VIII there) – morning over hotel breakfast gave us for half of the group to catch up from the and we even caught a church at the end of enough time to get excited for the salt mines where there was a complication a sermon, so we were allowed to go in and Wieliczka Salt Mines and Schindler’s with timings, we had missed lunch, but the see a full Polish church in all its painted Factory and we weren’t letting ourselves in guided tour of Schindler’s factory didn’t golden glory. for an anticlimactic experience. disappoint. We had two fantastic tour guides, who managed to cope incredibly with all of us, hungry and tired though we were, and at the end of the day, we were very grateful for a hot meal at the hotel and a long night’s sleep. The next morning there was a buffet breakfast at the hotel, where everyone was most definitely changed out of their pyjamas and not wearing jumpers to hide the rather conspicuous Mickey Mouse t- shirts. The day ahead promised a lot of

18 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

At the end of our self-guided walking tour can’t make sense of it in my own head. I of the Jewish Kazimierz District, we were like my sciences because any question will allowed a few hours of free time to visit the have a definitive answer. I like knowing extensive Easter markets of Krakow’s things, how something happens, why it is square, where I know many of us spent like that. In science things are logical and more money than we thought possible in follow patterns and rules. Understanding one two hour slot! Painted Easter eggs, things is how I know I can move on and try traditional and non-traditional clothes, something new. But I don’t understand the chocolate, books, candles, ironwork, Holocaust; I can’t move on and simply jewellery, amber; you couldn’t possibly accept that it happened just because it did. out on the last day in Poland. We saw so imagine how much there was to see and There has to be a logical reason and I am many things that we would have just smell and taste and touch and buy! We all yet to find one that satisfies the need to passed by if we had been on a normal enjoyed it whilst we could, and discussed justify what the Nazis did. The bus journey family holiday, but we weren’t, and we to the new hotel was long and learnt about everything, from the skull and quiet, punctuated by the sound cross bones on the Royal Tombs, to the of a page turning or a muffled violin string in the cast of the 9ft. diameter sniff. Sigismund’s Bell, to the man who plays the When we arrived we were trumpet from the tower of St Mary’s given our key-cards and told Church in Krakow square every hour, on that there was no time the hour. Leaving Krakow was hard; we to change, that we had a had all come to love its uneven pavements meal booked at a traditional and tiny grockle shops. But it was time at Jewish restaurant in twenty last to leave, although we couldn’t even minutes time, with a half-hour seem to do that, with a lost passport bus journey to squeeze in right before Customs! It took us a somewhere. Despite this news, scarily long time to notice that we were so much over our Hard Rock Café dinner, there were just three of us stood outside missing Mr Green and a student (who before returning ‘home’ (it’s scary how waiting, whilst 38 others somehow found found his passport eventually but lost his easy I found that to write) to inspect the the time and wherewithal to change and boarding pass). damage to our wallets and try to fit freshen up. I’m still not quite sure how it everything back into that suitcase which happened, but we arrived pretty much on seemed to have shrunk two sizes. time, and our meals came shortly after, A quick check-out in the morning after with water in green glass bottles and soup breakfast left us all very anxious, because in beautiful flowery bowls. There were we had all known that the day would come some doubts (on my table at least) about when the laughter stopped and we all had the ingredients in the ‘meat-eaters’ meals - to try and get our heads around the something which I didn’t have to worry Holocaust; it was never going to be easy. Walking through the gates of Auschwitz was like walking into a history book. They told us about the horrors and the stories, but it didn’t quite seem real until I was The flight was relatively short and it didn’t standing on the train tracks leading to the seem long before we were back in England red-brick building that is the figurehead of with English customs and English signs death and disregard for human life. The and English-speaking people. It was late trip had been relatively light-hearted until and shops were closing, so the news that then, but we all knew that we would have to our bus wasn’t waiting for us was a bit face the reality of six million deaths. I want worrying. One hour later (and three to say this now, because I can write my way increasingly angry messages to the bus about - but most of the food was eaten with around things forever, but nothing I could company), we had decided to call gusto. After our main meal there were two possibly say would bring them to justice; Mrs Baker; who picked up on the first ring, traditional Polish music acts (Klezmer Trio because nothing anyone could have said - and had a local bus come to meet us within and another) who played some fantastic could ever say - would have justified their half an hour. From there it was a lot of tunes, that inspired the musicians among deaths. And I know that I’m not alone sleeping and hysteric chatter and us with 7/4 beats, and got the toes of the when I say that I can’t properly describe thank yous and hugs; we all arrived safely others tapping – if not all in time! how this makes me feel, mostly because, I home in Monmouth, with more hugs I think we all slept very well on that last waiting for us when we got there. It was a night after writing post-cards at some huge emotional and physical haul for us all, ungodly hour of the morning or knocking but worth every step of the way (60,000 of on a teacher’s door to see if they had any them). I know we are all so grateful for the room in their suitcase for a jar of salt. In the time and effort given by the teachers who morning we had our last breakfast at the came with us (and Mrs Porter, who hotel, and whilst some were madly couldn’t make it but planned every minor packing, others were naming the fish in the detail). An experience I would re-live a glass wall after Sherlock characters. We thousand times. then picked up our tour guide and started Cassie De St Croix, 10NJ

19 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Renishaw Engineering Trip Recently our group went on a trip to to make parts, but they also produced a the Renishaw Engineering facility in bike frame using it. Miskin, South Wales. Renishaw were involved in developing parts for the Bloodhound car. Part When we got there, we listened to a spaceship, part racing car, part jet fighter presentation on what exactly the and dubbed as the Concorde for this company does and learned that it focuses generation by its makers, the SSC in on metrology, which is the science of Bloodhound stands for supersonic car. If engineering sides. Apprenticeships measurement. all goes to plan, the hope is this vehicle are available, which last about four The company are responsible for will smash not only the current land years, in areas such as engineering, supplying products and services used in speed record but also the air software and embedded electronic applications as diverse as making jet speed record by exceeding 1,000mph design/ development. During this period engines and wind turbines, through to (1,600km/h). you work through different placements dentistry and brain surgery. They are also We took a tour and were given so you can decide in which area you the first UK company to have created a talks on the different areas of the would like to develop your career. 3D metal printer, which can be used company, like the dentistry and software Y12 Engineers

360° view from the top sees Lake Geneva the proton beam collision allows the and the Jet d’Eau, the Jura mountains teams at CERN to explore a number of CERN 2016 and the Old Town. After a brief areas of Physics. It was two of these exploration of the city, lunch was at the experiments, ATLAS and CMS, who CERN site on the Swiss-French border. A recently discovered evidence of the privilege to share a dining hall with Higgs Boson, first predicted by British ‘proper nerds’, it’s difficult not to look scientist Peter Higgs in the 1960s. around and wonder what each of the In addition to the experiments, it was diners shuffling around with trays of also interesting to learn about the chips and sandwiches are currently history of the CERN organisation which working on. Maybe the next big was first set up in 1954 to unite discovery in Science? After those chips European scientists and make European first, obviously. science world class, once again. The Our tour was completed by a original accelerators, now used only to You wouldn’t think a shabby sixties programming specialist, whose job it is show visitors the history of the project, to write algorithms to sort through the building with broken venetian are barely recognisable after seeing the millions of images created each second, latest Large Hadron Collider (LHC), yet blinds would be the centre of some just after the proton beams collide. their discoveries were no less important Despite apologising for English being his of the world’s cutting-edge research, to Science. Still the organisation fourth language - in faultless English - but a group of Sixth Form physicists researches at the cutting edge as their his tour was comprehensive and recent discovery of pentaquarks shows. found exactly that earlier this year understandable. A quick recap of the Pretty impressive stuff, despite the on a weekend trip to Switzerland. standard model of particle classification broken blinds. Hopefully, the cheese in a sixties-built classroom, taking me We familiarised ourselves with the steaks and the dangers of falling on a back to my days at the University of impressive city of Geneva, and the rate tram won’t deter our students returning Bath, gave us a reminder of the of change of momentum of the trams to be involved in the next advancement background theory before journeying (not sure why it was such a surprise in our understanding of the universe. over the border into France to see the when they started moving each time!). collider itself. We heard about the use of Mr Bolt We made our way to a traditional Swiss superconductor electromagnets used to chalet restaurant and the learning didn’t both stabilise and accelerate the beam of stop here either - “we’ve learned that a protons, which collide at 13 TeV. (That’s cheese steak really is just a lump of 13,000,000,000,000 electron volts!) cheese, sir”. Luckily the fondues were Our guide also talked us through some more popular, being ‘drained’ of their of the engineering problems the contents with relative speed. construction team had to solve, from Saturday morning saw the start of leg insulating the magnets operating at 1.9 day, or so it seemed after climbing the Kelvin to minimising resistance when steps of Saint Pierre Cathedral’s bell such huge currents needed to be tower. A climb well worth it though, the conducted. The analysis of the results of

20 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Maddie and Millie - The Adventure Continues

You may remember reading a poem in crowds, no noise - progressing on to join the more formalised fun and activities in the Pony Club proper at rallies and this year The Leader 2013 called Happa Millie by she began competing for the first time. Maddie Tidwell about her rescue horse The application of dedication, motivation, commitment and called Millie. Here is an update on Maddie drive necessary to take a three year journey with a beautiful and and Millie’s experiences together. innocent animal; bringing it to a point where they both, as a team succeeded, has been tremendous. Maddie and Millie were selected to represent their Pony Club branch at a points scoring Show Jumping competition. No, it wasn’t at a local county show or even a local Pony Club branch event - she had to pick the hardest and most daunting one! On April 25th, 2015 Maddie jumped as a Pony Club team member at Hartpury College - infamous home of British Olympic talent across multiple disciplines and where the current Olympic Champion teaches! Not only did Maddie and Millie succeed by being picked for this event, they showed up and checked out in great style! On their first ever big formal jumping event Maddie got a clear round, helping her team to go on to win a wonderful third place final position. This is but the first of many such events - she’d done it! She trained and matured the little mare into a happy and confident horse using her own commitment to win throughout. Some may not recognise this as a classic great achievement but for Maddie and Millie it is and has made her family tremendously proud. In love and friendship they have bonded Maddie has always been passionate about all things equestrian. and succeeded. Maddie gives the horse the confidence and This passion is driving her own momentum to become an commitment she needs to achieve great things - small in Equine Veterinarian and she’s had these goals as long as she has their own way - but from a mistreated and abandoned rescue- been able to express them. As a result she’s working really hard horse, she’s ending up a beautiful and confident mare. The at MCS and is doing great academically; driven from within by funny thing is that the equation is working equally well in the her burning desire to achieve the best with her life. A horse, in opposite direction. Millie is giving Maddie the momentum she the form of her soulmate, Millie is her catalyst to 'Lead her Life'. needs to achieve what she wants to with her life. Seeing the little In this journey, Maddie rescued a five year old Welsh Section D successes together is giving Maddie more and more confidence mare from a well-known local horse shelter/charity called to keep working for her passion to become an equine vet. HAPPA - The Horse and Pony Protection Association - almost Maddie learns from the horse and the horse learns from three years ago. This horse was ‘green’ and untrained but had Maddie. no vices or issues, outside of the fact that she had been abandoned and left unfed as a youngster. She was rescued by the RSPCA saving her from a death by starvation. Millie spent nearly two years with the Rescue until Maddie met her, fell in love, and worked diligently to prove to the Charity that she was the right new ‘keeper’ of this beautiful animal. Maddie took on this horse and began training her from the ground up - literally. Starting locally by riding her out on her own, in hacks, in the beautiful countryside of the Wye Valley where she lives, near Tintern. She then progressed after two years hard work to finally having Millie ready to join in the local Pony Club. Maddie spends hours each week attending to the horse, helping her to build confidence, agility, stamina and pace, to begin competing; spending almost every daylight hour with the horse through rain, wind, snow and sunshine. At first she did simple ‘fun rides’ with Millie so there was no pressure, no

21 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Being the Best - an interview with Non Evans

The guest speaker at Awards’ Evening 2015 was Welsh athlete Non Evans. We were delighted to get the opportunity to interview her for The Leader.

Non is an incredibly successful Welsh years, she was training athlete who we had the pleasure of with the Welsh Squad. interviewing before she was Guest Speaker Her debut for Wales at our Awards’ Evening in September was against Scotland 2015. Non has competed in many sports in 1996; she then internationally such as Rugby Union, Judo, went on to earn 87 Weightlifting and Freestyle Wrestling. caps for Wales, Non told us that in her time at school, her scoring a record of 64 first love was acrobatics. Her strong tries making her the interest to better herself drove her to current World record become fitter but, unfortunately, this led to holder for both men her being overly fit for the sport and she and women’s rugby. was encouraged to join the local Judo Club Non also competed that had opened in her home town in weightlifting and Pontarddulais. freestyle wrestling always encouraged by members of her where she was selected for London 2012 family to be the best in the sporting world, Olympic Games, however, due to a career and that she should have focused her time ending injury, she was unable to take part. more on academic subjects but Non knew She was then asked to be a part of the that wasn’t the life for her. In her younger commentating team for the 2012 wrestling. years it was a case of finding any way As much as this was not the way she possible to get to training, whether it was wanted to be taking part in the games, she walking or catching the bus, due to her spoke of it being a true inspiration and parents not supporting her dedication to honour to be there. the sport. “You’ve just got to be totally dedicated, obsessed in a way. Arrogance doesn’t make you the best, believing you can

In the beginning Non was unaware of what better yourself is how you become the best” judo entailed but instantly fell in love with Non Evans the sport. Becoming increasingly better as time passed, judo eventually took her to From the beginning it was clear that Non’s For women, especially, the lack of funding four Commonwealth Games resulting in heart belonged to judo, a sport that and awareness often results in female two silver medals. After retiring from the enabled her to embark on the amazing life sports being less popular, meaning that the sport, Non then went on to university journey she has experienced. Judo opened women don’t have the option to solely where she was advised to join the women’s many doors to her and gave her focus on their chosen events. However, rugby team. After many years of tackling opportunities most people would only Non made it very clear that if the love for and similar techniques used in judo she dream of. the sport is there, funding and publicity discovered she could easily transfer her Non is a strong believer in the phrase shouldn’t be a contributing factor. strength and throwing technique into ‘anything can happen.’ When asked who It’s safe to say that Non Evans is a truly rugby. By going back to the basics, learning inspired her to be the best, she replied inspirational woman, who defies all all the techniques and picking it up “Growing up in a sporting environment stereotypes and negativity based around naturally, she realised her potential as she where there are no famous female role women’s sport. We feel privileged to have progressed from Novice to Elite in a short models, you don’t necessarily always need had the honour of getting to know her and space of time. someone to inspire you. If you inspire would like to wish her all the best in her It wasn’t long until Non found herself on yourself, then that’s all that matters.” future career. the Welsh Student Team and, within two Non explained that growing up she wasn’t Meg Lydon & Katie Williams

22 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Art

Lauren Terrell

Hope Allan

Ceri Jackson

Charlotte Fisher Natalie Morgan

Annie Tattersdill Millie Sutton

Charley Bicknell Tom Brice

23 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Let the sun shine….. I was shattered the next morning at school. I ended up sending my application off at five minutes to midnight on the day of the deadline. I'd spent all evening after school filling it in as I was determined not to miss the opportunity.

workshop which was full of half- assembled monitoring devices and set about creating our own. We assisted the professionals in assembling a demonstration weather station they use for the military. I’m not very good at soldering it turns out. We later got to go inside a huge radar dome and see the massive, high powered dish they use to detect rain and learned all about how the Met Office pioneered and patented the technology. I was very narrow minded when it came I thought nothing of it until, a few to weather forecasting, and didn’t After setting up our weather stations months down the line, I received an realise the true extent of the Met around the building we checked back in email. Somehow I’d managed to be Office’s work. The Met Office has a at the end of the week to collect the granted a place to spend a week's work network of over 3,800 specially data. We then uploaded it to the Met experience at The Met Office in Exeter. designed marine monitoring systems Office’s amateur website WOW As a self-confessed weather nerd, I was around the world and it produces a (weather observation website), where ecstatic. marine forecast every day. I was also we could plot graphs and compare the conditions of the two places over the Fast forward to the last week of term taught about atmospheric pressures in week. WOW is an amazing website and and I stood in the foyer of a gigantic their special college - somewhere I aim you can even add to it by tweeting, building with a blue lanyard round my to go to one day. Thunderstorms are my using #UKSnow, when the time comes neck. Forty equally nervous people favourite and we were lucky enough to of course. I’d love our school to set a stood around me and we were ushered have a special talk on how the Met station up and to contribute one day. into a big room to be officially Office monitors lightning globally in welcomed. On my seat was my real time. Lightning actually goes up Over the week the six of us had fulfilled personalised 'survival pack' and next to not down, which is hard to get your our brief and had created a 10 minute me were the five others I was to spend head around. You also wouldn’t think presentation to give to all the staff and my week with. I was nervous about not that 'Space Weather' had anything to do students at the end of the week. Our knowing anyone but everyone was with us down on earth. However, the topic was 'The Met Office - more than lovely and our differences didn’t matter sun’s activity can have huge impacts on just forecasting the weather' and we set - one girl even travelled all the way from aviation, GPS and the National Grid, out to break the stereotype. Our Scotland to be there. We were given a but I’d never even heard of a 'Coronal presentation went really well; we even goal for the end of the week and Mass Ejection' before! I learned an got in some all-important audience presented with our timetable. We also incredible amount. participation by receiving questions on wrote down any questions we had on paper aeroplanes. It was completely ‘post-its’ for the staff at the Met Office serious I promise. and they were stuck on a board to be I loved my time at the Met Office and answered by the end of the week. the knowledge and independence I We met with our ‘Host Manager’ gained from the experience are Linda Rigby and she set us the task of invaluable. I recommend it to anyone building our own weather stations to and I want to work there some day. As I gather data from to analyse. We were learned, always take chances, as it might also given free Met Office t-shirts... just pay off. result! The next day we headed to the Bethan Morgan, 13AC

24 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Going Beyond The Book The second Literary Festival saw us go bigger, braver and even better than the inaugural event. The hard work of a dedicated team of staff and students from all three schools enabled the co-ordination of a diverse range of workshops, performances and readings across the whole of Monmouth.

readings, advice and further inspiration treated to a performance of Twelfth Night to our own writers. Generous thanks go which supported their preparations for to Jonathan Edwards, Tyler Keevil and their GCSE English Literature controlled Anna Lewis for their time and words of task. Prior to the performance, groups motivation. were involved in a series of workshops Poetry stole much of the show as we with the cast and crew to enhance the were fortunate enough to host two understanding of stagecraft. celebrated poets: Joelle Taylor and Dame Y7 had many treats of the week, none Carol Ann Duffy! Joelle is a performance more so than an afternoon with Mojo The week kicked into action with a series the wolfhound – not forgetting that he of workshops by The Goethe Institute also brought Cathy Farr with him. He which allowed our linguists to work on delighted the audience as Cathy read German literature to support their from her books and took questions. The widening linguistic repertoire. This was Year Group also had the pleasure of a followed by two high energy morning of stories from Daniel Morden, performances by The Two Steves who who kept us gripped with his dynamic demonstrated that stories can be as performance of some of his favourite interactive and dynamic as the stories. imagination allows. This year we worked hard to involve the Our older students were fortunate wider community in the festival, enough to work with The University of to make it an event for young people poet who gave an inspirational set of Bristol as they explored literary and the town. As well as an additional poems that focused on gender, class, approaches and connections across a performance by The Two Steves and poverty and wider political issues. She variety of texts. The beautiful Dame Carol Ann Duffy, the town were held an audience of 400 in the palm of surroundings of the library at MSB invited to audiences with Eddie Butler her hand as we hung on her every word. fuelled creative and critical thinking at and Owen Sheers and entertained by Our A Level classes were lucky to be able the highest levels. bands of students who popped up in various locations to recite some of their Budding and emerging writers were able favourite poems. to work closely with published and acclaimed writers in a series of intimate The 2016 festival promises to be equally workshops, and by working with their exciting as more big names get to know peers from MSB and HMSG, it gave a about us and want to work with us to supportive platform for sharing ideas promote literacy and a love of books, and building confidence. We were also and we look forward to inviting you to lucky enough to be visited by some hear some enduring stories this year. newly published local writers who gave Photos: Jade Barnard and to have a private reading with Dame Maisy-Jane Young Carol Ann in the Shire Hall; she was utterly generous with her time and spent the afternoon answering a variety of questions and signing plenty of volumes of her work. The combination of her words with the music of John Samson made for a memorable afternoon. No literary festival would be complete without Shakespeare and Y9 were

25 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards During the summer of 2015, I was given the opportunity to participate in the 2015 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

I became involved in RYLA as it fits the The challenges varied massively, with criteria for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold about 40% of them being indoor based. Award Residential but there are so many These challenges included activities like other reasons to get involved in this creating a rocket for a small teddy bear or Award. I would encourage anyone who arguing the pros and cons of giving either enjoys, or wants to improve upon, Rotary Club aid to a certain country. their public speaking, communication or Outdoors, we participated in a massive leadership skills to consider taking part in range of activities from canoeing to a the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - or high ropes course to skill based games. anyone who wants to conquer a personal Perhaps the most scary of all was night fear, such as heights or meeting new orienteering in the Forest of Dean! people. The course is one that focuses on RYLA is a completely unique opportunity. personal development and there are By being placed in small groups of 10, frequent chances to either take control as over the course of the six days, you make a Team or a Day Leader or give feedback amazing friendships. Following RYLA, I in the form of a presentation following a have kept in touch with five of my group challenge.

and I look forward to seeing them in the summer. I had the most amazing time on RYLA, and I would encourage any of you that have the opportunity to get involved! Holly Brown, 13AC Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Progressing through Bronze and Silver, to Gold Duke of Edinburgh is a long process but certainly a rewarding one. I entered the Duke of Edinburgh scheme with the aim of being more involved in my community and getting outdoors.

The great thing about Duke of helped others and developed teamwork Edinburgh is its flexibility and how many skills in a whole range of ways. skills you acquire through the process. Opportunities like these have supported Through the expeditions and training my application to university sessions I have learnt basic first-aid, immeasurably due to its nationwide mountaineering and camp craft. recognition. Through the physical and skill sections of The most challenging aspect of DofE the qualification, I have mastered skills is the expedition itself. The practice such as quilling and needlepoint, as well expeditions ensured that the skills as improving my personal fitness by required were developed, in a supportive participating in activities such as pilates environment. DofE is an opportunity to and yoga. meet new people and make friends. It is Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of a massive achievement and I will look the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is back fondly on all the blisters and bruises the volunteering section. Through DofE, gained on expeditions! DofE has I have spent time volunteering for the definitely boosted my confidence and I British Heart Foundation and the British have enjoyed learning an entirely new Red Cross, experiences I greatly enjoyed. set of skills. I would recommend DofE to I was given experience of volunteer roles anyone! through which I met some great people, Holly Brown, 13AC

26 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Stables to Studios In November of 2015, 13 students were given the opportunity to work in conjunction with the local museum to create an exhibition about Rockfield Studios.

This was when the hard work The exhibition is at Monmouth began. Following many more Museum until 31st August, and is open meetings (and even more Monday - Saturday 11am - 1pm and biscuits!) decisions were 2pm - 5pm. Alternatively, you may made over colour schemes, catch the exhibition between 2pm - 5pm layouts and key themes. The on Sundays. It really is worth a visit. students also decided to Nick Eaton, 12BF conduct interviews with people who had been involved with Rockfield over its Sweet Success illustrious history; recorded and edited by Elliott Kramer and Charlie Breton, they are Mr Egan first contacted both the available to view in the museum. museum and the studios about the Although many decisions were made project, which began as a means of ahead of time, much of the work had to achieving the community challenge in be done in the final weeks, showing the the Welsh Baccalaureate. Many students character of the students and members became interested in the exhibition, of museum team, and their work ethic. which led to a day of interviews to select It goes without question that this a group to complete the task. After much exhibition could not have happened deliberation by Karin Molson and without the help of Kingsley and the rest Joanne Davies, they selected the team. of the Ward For Rockfield Studio’s 50th Anniversary, After several family. They we were asked to produce canapés and a meetings in proved to be celebration cake to serve to the guests at the museum key members the launch of the exhibition at the students of the team, Monmouth Museum. decided to go and raised the Through the day, we made several to Rockfield exhibition to a different savoury and some sweet and to other level that canapés which were received extremely museums in the local area to get ideas would have been impossible without well by the guests. Everyone worked well and discuss possibilities about the them. Of course, this project would not as a team, neatly and efficiently making exhibition. First they went to M-Shed be possible without the extraordinary sure everything was ready in time. and a variety of other exhibitions in efforts of Karin Molson and the The celebration cake was decorated with Bristol; they then went to the studios. museum staff, who directed the project a detailed transfer of the Studio’s logo. Accompanied by Mr Egan, they were in a graceful and teleological manner. given a tour by Nick Brine, Giles Bell This experience was also part of our This project not only shows the history and Lisa Ward. Eventually the day ended coursework – it was enjoyed by of Monmouth, music and Rockfield. It in a recording session in one of the everybody as we worked hard from start shows the communal bonds between studios, where every student established to finish. them all and where they could lead in the a desire to learn more about the studio’s future. Lily Hough, 10LE immense history. To spur this project on, the team required funding to be able to put their ideas into place. To this end, they applied for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund by creating two short videos displaying what the exhibition would be about. After months of meetings and mountains of biscuits, the HLF were kind enough to give the group a large sum to fund the project.

27 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Rowing Update 2016 ones, when you have friends with you to The Captain’s share the experience. If you row well then you will win. You View may not win immediately, but if you It has been an interesting year for the continue to train hard and keep rowing Rowing Club, with plenty of highs and well, it will happen. Winning in a rowing (as is the way of these things) a few lows competition, particularly if you are as well. We have had a record number of against good competition, is both a hard events cancelled this year due to extreme and rewarding experience. Very few weather conditions or flooding, only competitions offer a bronze, silver and attending three events throughout the gold medal; there is just a medal for the entirety of the Autumn and Spring winners, and though coming second is terms. Despite this there has been a an admirable achievement, it's not quite greater focus and desire to improve the same as having a piece of metal on a throughout the Club than I have seen in ribbon that says 'I conquered this stretch my five years rowing for the school. The of river'. Therefore, to win that medal (or effects of that drive have been apparent tankard as it is in some places) is a pretty in the results of the races we have great thing to do. Hold onto that win, attended, winning or at least contesting dark outside. Despite this, knowing that don't try to discredit it by saying 'I only almost every race we have taken part in. the rest of your squad are in the same won because...' because winning a race boat (both literally and figuratively) and that to not get up and go to training would be letting them down, as ultimately their ability to go to events and perform well is shaped by having the whole crew on board, is a massive motivation for you to make the effort. Those sessions may be freezing, hard and sometimes you won't improve, but in the end you'll be glad you went. Friends you make at rowing will be some If you choose to do rowing, know it is (or anything for that matter) is a of the closest you'll have. You may not not an easy sport. If you already row, fantastic achievement, and the pride and have interacted much prior to rowing, then you already know this. It is one of drive it can give you may lead to winning you may have never even met some the few sports that repetitively works more races and even having a little more other rowers, but the strength of the every muscle group in your body and to pride and drive in other walks of life. The bonds you form will be greater than you that end, is very intense and draining. determination to succeed is more initially expect they will be. This is due to However, if you do it for long enough powerful than raw talent or unfocused the shared experiences you have (good there is enormous benefit to be had in training, so try to cultivate it. and bad), and having those strong your fitness, well-being and health. In friendships makes everything more Finally, to those people who may be my time with the Club, I have noticed enjoyable; hard sessions, long days of planning to row, I'd recommend it. It is a many other benefits which may not seem racing and those rare and special days fantastic thing to be part of, and as the so obvious at first; things like time where you try to wash the boats faster only comprehensive school rowing club management, developing a regular than the water freezes on them will give in Britain (almost entirely funded sleeping pattern and finding that you fond memories, rather than bad through fund-raising activities), we something inside yourself to put that punch well above our weight in the little bit of extra effort into the things competitive community. If you don't you do (be they related or unrelated to choose to row in the end, or find rowing rowing). I think that these are perhaps isn't for you and move on, then I'd by-products of any regular commitment suggest finding something that is as large a person may have, because having that a commitment. Something that will give commitment and responsibility to other your life a little momentum, be it acting members of a team or squad, forces you or hill walking, as I think you will find the to grow as a person. It can be hard at benefits, the friends and experiences, times, on cold days when you have to get well worth the effort. To those people up early and go to training while it's still who already row, keep performing well,

28 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

disappear. A workout on a rowing machine (referred to as an ergo, often with a groan attached) is something almost indescribable. There is no magic feeling as the boat lifts out of the water, just you, pain and the ever unforgiving digital display. However, we do our ergo

stay driven. Remember every session can be a different and rewarding This atmosphere allows not only the experience with a little extra effort. I can strong to flourish, but to inspire and see a good future for the Rowing Club if likewise be inspired by the other athletes you all keep improving as you are, and I around them. When one succeeds as an am proud to count myself among your individual the feeling is good, but when number. Good Luck. one succeeds as a team the feeling is electric. When you translate this to Ben Warmington the classroom, the result is powerful. The shared drive formed from cold Teamwork mornings, windswept autumn outings, Teamwork is not unique to rowing, but it and intense summer workouts, is, perhaps, particularly potent in the transforms not just into friendship, but a sport. The cliché of ‘all being in the same desire to succeed in every part of one’s boat’, is quite evident from a practical life (including school work) and to point of view, however the necessity of support each other doing so. being in the same vessel has wider In short, the people who train with you implications. become like an extended family. You not “To be of championship calibre, a crew must have total confidence in each other, able to drive with abandon, confident that no man will get the full weight of the pull” George Yeoman Pocock, coach and boat builder from the early 20th century

workouts in a room together, and in only share the boathouse and equipment, time. The concept of this is a simple one; but a drive and determination, as well as no one stops. No matter how many friendship and camaraderie, and the doubts you have, or how tired you are, communal school tie (for the one of us you sit and keep pushing. You don’t often that always forgets theirs!) and shampoo do it for yourself, you do it for the (a boys’ changing room tradition!). person sat next to you. To stop would be letting your teammate down, an event Harry Dalrymple, that is simply unacceptable for a rower. MCSBC Vice-Captain

The dynamics of a crew that have spent a lot of time together are notable by the actions they do as a unit. On the water, the crew should move efficiently as one, each movement of the blades appearing effortless. When a boat moves like this there is a shared feeling of absolute joy, as the boat feels weightless. Every rower wants this all the time but, sadly, it doesn’t always happen. The feeling of shared elation that is felt can only happen when every member of the crew is rowing with each other to the very best of their ability. On land, the boat is safely stored away, but the crew mentality doesn’t

29 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

course and earned my sponsorship. A Midlands, Northern and West finishing half-marathon can be a daunting thing, 2nd in our final just two seconds behind particularly to those with not much the winners. Our club mates Tom Heath running experience and I would like to and Rob Williams, also finished 2nd in say a big ‘Congratulations’ to all athletes their B-final. Overall, it was a successful, who ran the course. There were some satisfying race day and a thrilling pretty good times and a very good total sponsorship of around £6650, without which we wouldn’t be able to run MCSBC, and give the opportunity for MCSBC Half more children to row for the school. Marathon Ben Warmington The MCSBC half marathon fundraiser Representing is an essential event in the Boat Club calendar, as it is only by the efforts of the Wales athletes and the generosity of their The first challenge was qualifying sponsors that we can continue to for the Wales/WAGS (Wiltshire, Avon, function as a club and provide the Gloucester and Somerset) Team. We equipment, support and race entries we achieved this by a respectable margin need to give every athlete a good rowing beating other crews from the region with experience. As last year, the day started similar representative ambitions. We cold and murky, but the sun was just qualified along with Year 10s Tom Heath trickling through the haze as the first and Rob Williams (also in a double experience which we hope will set us up group of runners set off on the 13 mile sculling boat) to compete at the Junior well for the National Championships route to Symonds Yat and back, followed Inter-Regional Regatta in Nottingham in later this Summer. by a circuit through Monmouth. The April 2016. weather slowly improved as groups were Louis Proctor & Tom Brice sent off at 10 minute intervals, and by After weeks tuning our performance in the time it was my group’s turn, the sun preparation for the event, we arrived in My time on the had burnt away the haze and the air was Nottingham nervous but hopeful. After somewhat warmer. setting up our boat, we disembarked to warm up to the start line. Seeing the HeartStart other crews in our category was quite surreal due to the inhumanly huge Course physical build of our opponents. We were After a morning spent running, I didn’t finding it hard to comprehend they were feel I could effectively take part in a first- our age with their beards and seemingly aid course. However, I couldn’t have average height of six foot and we were been more wrong. I found the entire rapidly realising the challenge we were experience enjoyable and educational. up against. HeartStart courses are two-hour long The opposition comprised top crews workshops in which you learn lifesaving skills such as CPR and abdominal We set off with high spirits at a leisurely from clubs such as York, Windsor, thrusts, both of which can save a life. pace, with a good knowledge of the route Molesey, Warrington and London, You also learn how to deal with an and a strong fitness level from a winter representing five of the 12 rowing unconscious casualty, how to identify the of training. It seemed like it would be regions of Britain, ourselves filling the symptoms of a heart attack and what to easy, but 13 miles is further than you'd sixth and final lane of the first heat. The do when someone is seriously bleeding. imagine. Around the eight mile mark I other six regions raced in the second HeartStart is an initiative of the British began to tire, and during the last two heat a few minutes later. Heart Foundation which is run by miles I was struggling but, along with Our first race hit a good rhythm, but volunteers and, I have no doubt, has every other athlete, I completed the ultimately we didn’t race hard enough and we only made the B-final. After a saved multiple lives. There are over 3,800 four hour wait, complete with tremendous anxiety for our finals, we soon found ourselves on the starting blocks for our final race of the day. After a tight and gruelling 1500m race, we raised our game from the first race, trusting to our training that we would have the stamina to complete the race. We beat the regions West Midlands, East

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HeartStart schemes across the UK, CPR consistently, but the environment educating over 3.5 million children and was friendly and overall I feel I learnt a adults. lot over those two hours. We cleared plenty of room in the The most alarming aspect for me was Monmouth Rowing club house ready to when Cara showed us how anyone can practise our lifesaving skills. Fourteen of fall victim; how even physically fit people my fellow athletes and I sat down to can suffer from an attack, which I had watch an inspirational introductory originally thought almost exclusively video before directing our attention affected unhealthy people. The heart towards Cara Hopgood, our instructor attacks suffered by young athletes such for the course. She kept the seriousness as myself and my peers who attended the necessary for a potentially life-changing HeartStart course are generally caused lesson, whilst creating a friendly by cardiovascular diseases. Especially atmosphere which allowed me to as we are young and physically fit, become fully involved, yet still enjoy heart disease and defects can be myself. For each topic there was a video hidden, as well as fatal. Luckily to display how real life situations may it is rare for young people to suffer fatal pan out and to show how abruptly heart failure. On the other hand, and I am fine for now but I believe it is a incidents such as heart attacks can strike. according to statistics that you can fantastic opportunity for others to find on https://www.bhf.org.uk, the reduce the risk of any heart problems for percentage of deaths caused by free. Looking at the CRY website, cardiovascular diseases in men under at least 12 young people die of 75 is 28% and for women under 75 it undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases a is 17%. week. The fact it could happen to anyone My family has a history of heart disease, scares me. As athletes, we increase the but there are ways of diagnosing early risk of a heart attack and I am glad there signs of cardiac anomalies such as CRY. are so many great organisations that educate young people and work to CRY stands for Cardiac Risk in the diagnose potential risks for young adults Young. They take an echocardiogram, like myself. As rowing is a physically demanding basically an ultrasound of your heart, to sport, exertion comes as an essential part check for any anomalies. I have attended For more information, look at their of my workout. This is common a CRY screening at the Grange School, website http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/cardiac- among many sports and can lead to screening/. complications. Now I know what to do if someone faints. Also, I now know how to help someone who is choking, possibly on their own vomit. Vomiting is surprisingly common after particularly testing workouts. The final and key focus was how to recognise the early signs of a cardiac arrest and what to do. Cara got us all involved, putting us into pairs and practising putting each other into the recovery position. This was enjoyable because we could try out what we had just seen in action, as well as having a laugh pretending to pass out. We also used ‘Anne’ training mannequins to practise CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Using them really did convey just how difficult it is to deliver

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After the HeartStart session I received a leaflet, containing key points on every subject covered by Cara. I also received a card, with an emergency number on it to phone in case I needed information or support using some of the skills I had learnt. To top it all off, I also received a certificate for my attendance. The session was nothing like a full first-aid course, but simple actions such as the DRS ABC (Danger, Response, Shout, Airway, Breathing and CPR) will stay with me. The thought of having to use the skills I’ve learnt does terrify me, and I hope I’ll never have to use them, but I know the difference I could make, even if the only thing I can remember is the

recovery position. I think it is important substitute for an ambulance but this that everyone should have at least a basic experience will stay with me. I thank knowledge of simple first-aid as anyone volunteers such as Cara and those who could save a life with the right skill set. run CRY for fighting against heart Volunteers such as Cara who have used disease and teaching people like me how these skills outside of the classroom to potentially save a life. provide great mentors and I am thankful Bobby Scott,12GS for all the work they do. I may never be a

32 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Determination: Rowing was never something I’d thought about. I had never considered being a rower, let alone an athlete. At the age of 12 I visited the rowing club for an open day that was being held and I haven’t left since. From age 12 through to Year 12, now at the age of 16, I have been a member of Monmouth Rowing Club and I hope to always be one. I can honestly say that I have loved every part of it.

Rowing appeared to be a talent of mine, With hard work, on the 28th athletes present was truly with many wins at local club level of November 2015, I outstanding, and I am so throughout my early career. My first win became a Welsh National pleased that my hard work had me hooked for life: the thrill, the Champion with two titles paid off to gain me those adrenaline, the ability to use my body and and holder of third in the achievements. mind to achieve, the ability to call myself a country in another event at I can assure you, with champion. Since this first win, I have the Welsh Indoor Rowing 100% faith that, no matter collected 19 medals and/or trophies at local Championships. I won how hard the situation you and national events, such as Monmouth Gold, and one of the two face is, with determination Head, Monmouth Regatta, Llandaff Regatta, Welsh national champion and hard work you can get Ross Regatta, Worcester Regatta and titles in the Women’s through it and succeed. Stourport Regatta. I also competed in the 2,000m event at J17. I Hope Henry, 12BF British Rowing National Championships completed 2,000m in a time Monmouth in 2013 at J14. I achieved 15th in the country of 7:34 minutes, a personal Rowing Club for my single sculling. I have never done best for me by 15 seconds. I anything as amazing, yet exhausting, since. won my second My issue with rowing came when I was in title and a second the gym and fell; diagonally fracturing my Gold in the fifth metatarsal on my left foot; suddenly, I Women’s Open could not do what I loved. The 7th of 500m event. I January 2015, - I won’t lie, I really was competing struggled. It turned out that when I break against women bones, I properly break them and that from all over the my bones are stubborn and don’t want country and of all to heal. After a multitude of hospital ages, including appointments, x-rays and meetings with the reigning Welsh various consultants, I had healed. After, National and during those six months, came Champion from extensive and gruelling physiotherapy. I Spain, who had couldn’t train or get up the stairs for six travelled all the months in total. On the 18th May I was way over to defend allowed to go back to very light training the title that I and by July I was back fully using my foot. took from her. Then, the real work had to start, the loss of I completed my fitness and weight gain were large - I’m not 500m in a time going to hide that. of 1:46 minutes, another personal best for me; this time by nine seconds. I gained my Bronze medal and third in the country, in the Women’s Open 100m event completing 100m in 19.6 seconds. I must say that the effort and strength displayed by all

33 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Japan's World Scout Jamboree 2015

One of the biggest surprises was the heat where the dad was a chef. This meant gathered on one campsite. I definitely and humidity, despite all the warnings that I got to experience a six course didn't envy the job of the organiser that's nothing could quite prepare us for 42°C traditional meal, but westernised for sure. We were greeted with a huge to 50°C heat and 90% humidity. Luckily attempts of Japanese food in the UK did opening ceremony (where we were lucky we had a brief time to acclimatise whilst not compare to the unique taste of fresh to be sat in the front row) that contained staying in the air-conditioned homes of water eel and deep fried tofu. The time Japanese families. We were all allocated a spent with my family was incredibly Japanese family to stay with in pairs, in heart-warming despite our means of order to experience Japanese culture first communication being largely through hand. From a significant language Google translate and minimal Japanese! barrier to the 'interesting' cuisine I think We got to know each other very well we all found it a massive culture shock. I through the use of picture books and the was fortunate to stay with a family, exchanging of gifts. It was an incredible experience and within the space of a couple of days we become very close to our families, to the extent where we struggled to say multiple Japanese performances from our goodbyes. Luckily, the high pitched singing of J-pop to with the exchange of some exceptional Takio drumming. contacts, we hope to stay Despite the majority not knowing what in touch with our host the performers were singing, the families. atmosphere remained electric and full of We soon found ourselves excitement as we all anticipated the leaving for our next following 10 days of meeting new adventure in Japan, the friends and taking part in thrilling World Scout Jamboree, activities. and what an experience to All the activities of the Jamboree were behold - 30,000 scouts based around the slogan of 'WA' which from over 200 countries means harmony, peace and community

34 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Japan's World Scout Jamboree 2015 - an experience that I will never forget. With a two year lead up to this trip, you have a lot of time to imagine what you will experience and feel whilst out there. Despite my imagination running wild, it could not conjure up the breathtaking Japanese scenery that I saw, the Jamboree community spirit that I experienced and the invaluable new friendships I made. in Japanese. I believe these ideologies conditioning, a concept which had just were cemented within each of the about become alien to us. It felt like a participants taking part in the freezer compared to the sweltering heat experience. The importance of peace outside, but would you believe it, it was truly hit home when spending a day in only cooled to 20°C we'd be complaining Hiroshima, only a matter of days prior to about heat-stroke if it was that the 70th anniversary of the Atomic temperature in Wales! Another surprise Bomb. Visiting the museum, having was the Japanese recycling system. We tours and seeing the area first-hand often find having three different types of really opened everyone's eyes to the bin bags in our UK homes a struggle. damage that we can do and how it can so Well, they have eight in Japan with plastic easily be prevented. Another important foliage, shrines and very few people. aspect was that of community. Not only Before entering the shrines we washed did we help the Japanese community, we our hands in sacred water and wafted also created our own on the Jamboree smoke into our faces in order to be site, as we spent our free time visiting cleansed. We also had the opportunity to other sub-camps, making new friends visit Skytree, the tallest building in and learning about new cultures. I was Tokyo, to get a panoramic view of the fortunate enough to become very close city as well as the Earthquake Centre with a group of Lebanese students where we experienced an earthquake whom I still keep in touch with to this simulator. The earthquake simulator was very day. The culture of every country particularly eye-opening. Despite the was showcased to us in multiple exceptional broadcasting and reporting different ways, from the performances of after such a tragic event it is still traditional dance and singing, tasting incredibly hard for you to imagine what different and unique foods produced by having three separate bags of its own. they went through. I now feel far more each of the countries, trying on I was glad to see how environmentally empathy for earthquake victims as the traditional clothing like saris and friendly the Japanese were but, worry I experienced in a matter of a 10 kimonos to learning new skills like the art unfortunately, I can't see the British second simulation must be a mere of calligraphy or tin whistling (none of adopting this system anytime soon. fraction of what they felt. which I am a natural in). Once the Jamboree experience was As well as some great activities and complete, with multiple other activities experiences, I was surprised to find and events filling the time, we soon had some of the smaller things on the trip to say goodbye but before leaving Japan being just as memorable. We often found for good we spent a few days in Tokyo. ourselves doing the less adventurous trip After getting over the overwhelming joy to the supermarket, despite not ever of having a bed to sleep in at the hotel, needing to buy anything. It had air we managed to pack in visits to as many sites as we could. Our first was to Shibuya, using the largest pedestrian crossing in the world, and to this day I am still shocked that I didn't find myself getting Overall I learnt so much during this trip, lost amongst the sea of giving me a much broader perspective of people. One stop further, world culture - no matter what your on the equivalent of the country of origin, we should still manage London Tube, we arrived to live in harmony. I had a thoroughly at Mejio Park. It was hard enjoyable experience. The friends I went to fathom how a two with only become closer and the friends minute train journey had I made out there I will never forget. I taken me from towering recommend everyone to grasp any skyscrapers, bright lights opportunity to travel. and crowds of people to a tranquil park, filled with Philippa Parry, 13AC

35 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Apprehensive first time skiers… but the trip was totally worth it. SKI We both began in the Beginners Group as neither of us had skied before, but there was an Advanced Group for people who had more experience. Our days on the slopes led to a lot of 2016 tumbles and a few bruises but we soon got the hang of it and by the end of the week we were skiing from the top of the mountain. The evenings were filled with plenty of fun activities like bowling, swimming and a quiz night. During the time we were there we made lots of new friends and the trip brought us closer with friends that we already had. It was definitely a new experience for a lot of us but the biggest challenge was waking up early to get ready to go skiing, but we were definitely all awake after some noisy karaoke on the bus. Over the week we had lots of opportunities to explore the local area too. We would both recommend the ski trip to anyone even if they have no experience of skiing. It was an amazing trip and we would both like to thank Mr Bird, Mr Williams, Miss Biddle and Miss Phillips who gave up part of their Easter holiday to take us. Hannah Jones and Eve Jones, I0BI

36 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 My Vocational Years Beginning my vocational course was one of the most nerve- racking experiences I’ve ever been through I didn’t know anybody in my class and, walking in on the first day, it hit me how scary this was going to be; although finding out I could go home at 2.30pm every Wednesday softened the blow!

We started off doing ‘team building’ amazing and taught us so much and the future with the exciting and scary exercises that, despite the awkwardness was so helpful answering any questions prospect of leaving one another and of having to stand in a circle holding we had. She was always willing to moving onto the next pathways in our hands with strangers, actually brought have a laugh and a joke with us. The lives. us closer together and seemed to break first year I spent doing the beauty side of the ice of that first meeting. After a the course. Dani was amazing and few weeks everybody seemed more everybody learnt so much, such as nail comfortable with one another, and we painting, hand, back, neck and head all walked to the Biblins in the blazing massage and makeup. summer heat, again forming tighter Sadly, we had to change tutors for our bonds and friendships. second year in order to complete the hair Our college taster day was extremely side of our course. The second year was exciting as we were finally able to see just as much fun and our tutor, Michelle, where we would be spending the next was just as good. We were lucky enough two years and who we’d be spending to be able to go to Pontypool College in them with. Going into the animal order to use their facilities which were sanctuary on the taster day was better suited to the type of things we terrifying, as I had to watch everyone were learning. Changing tutors was a hold what seemed to be the biggest huge upheaval, but Michelle made us snake I’d ever seen in my life, it’s safe to feel comfortable and was just as Although I’ve been fortunate enough to say I did not hang around there for long. welcoming towards us and, after a few be in a class with so many great people, We went around to everybody else’s weeks, we were all getting on extremely the past two years of my life wouldn’t courses giving us a chance to see what well. We learnt a lot with Michelle such have been the slightest bit as great they’d be doing. as blow drying, using rollers, curling and without Mr Jenkins our Vocational straightening. Mentor. He’s worked so hard in order to Finally starting our courses in September, help every single one of us achieve what we jumped straight into learning. I was Some of us completed our course before we need to in order to get the grades we taking part in the hair and beauty course the final year was over, making it need to move on. He has been such a and it was a lot more complicated, with possible for us to stay at school, and use great help to everybody and I know a lot more rules involved, than I had our extra lessons as a chance to revise for everyone in my class feels the same. I am previously thought. In our classroom we our upcoming exams. Not only has the immeasurably grateful to him for had two other students from King Henry course been such a great experience for everything he has done for us over the School on our course and it didn’t take me and I know all of my other friends in past two years, and how much work he long for us all to become friends. Our my class feel the same, the extra help has put in to make us feel comfortable tutor in college, Dani, was absolutely and support we receive when we are and relaxed, about not only our back in school is so unbelievably workload but anything we wanted to beneficial towards my work and my talk to him about. I’m extremely excited grades. I know I, and many of my to move on to these next stages in my friends, wouldn’t have received the life but I will miss the lessons and the grades we have without the amazing times I have had with my class so much. support system we’ve had. Everybody I highly recommend this course as it has has finished their courses and are so been such a great experience and so proud of themselves and one another for much fun to be a part of. what they have achieved over the past two years. We are looking forward to Maisy Greene 11WM

37 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Cricket Without Boundaries Spending two weeks somewhere warm is often people’s aim, especially in the depth of winter. During the winter of 15/16 I was looking forward to a couple of weeks away, but I’ve never enjoyed lounging round a pool reading pulp fiction. I was itching to spend my fortnight in rural Uganda coaching cricket to thousands of children.

In late 2014 I had a coffee with another cricket coach when the contributed towards an eventual total of over £1,600. My chat turned to various charities. At the time, I was looking for favourite event had to be 11BG’s sponsored chat (what else some funding for my U9 team. He happened to mention an would they do?), which raised enough money to pay for the kit organisation called ‘Cricket Without Boundaries’, a charity we eventually gave to one of the poorest schools in Fort Portal. which combined cricket with trying to help eradicate HIV and My JustGiving page was apparently in the top 5% of fundraisers AIDS in Africa. He thought it might be something I would in the first quarter of the year, assisted by a very large donation enjoy and encouraged me to get involved. He put me in touch from a local celebrity. Thankfully, he didn’t invent the money in with the charity and the conversations began. Once accepted as his pink castle.... part of the team, I had to raise £975 to Once we arrived in Uganda, we met pay for my stay in Uganda as well as with the local team who were joining equipment to take over and finance for forces with us for the tour. Emmanuel local Health Agencies who came with us Isaneez is a Ugandan international to provide HIV testing wherever we cricketer employed by CWB as the went. charity’s Ambassador in Uganda. An Fundraising was fun, despite some essentially shy man, Emmanuel has a notable local agencies refusing to help. slight stutter but is at his best and most Monmouth Cricket Club assisted animated when talking cricket and enormously, with a game between the helping children. His shyness was club and a CWB XI raising almost evident when he was being obviously £500. Past and present students from pursued by a young female teacher in MCS played, including Ella Smith, Fort Portal! His commitment to George Williamson, Shannon Maguire and Ben Pilot. The game eradicating HIV is second to none. Johnson Barrak played for came down to Monmouth needing 10 runs from the last over, Uganda at the last U19 World Cup and is a local celebrity in then six from the last ball. A five run win for the CWB XI Kasese. Everywhere we went, people knew Johnson. Joseph was cheered up Mr Sinkowski, who marked his debut with an our driver, whose skill at negotiating wild roads and even wilder energetic and enthusiastic performance. It’s a brave man who drivers had us all marvelling, especially as night crept in on the gets involved like that in front of a bunch of students, helping to way from Lugazi to Kasese. Animals, people and mad drivers raise £35 in the process! The club also staged a Parent and are a constant hazard, but Joseph avoided all with aplomb. He Child game with my U9 team, a lovely way to finish the season even outstripped the taxi driver in Kampala who had adorned and rustle up £150 in the process. Help from The Queen’s his vehicle with pictures of Bob Marley, Jesus Christ and Head, JustGiving and Blestuim Financial Services all Colonel Ghadaffi.

38 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

The plan was fairly straightforward. Everywhere we visited, we would help local teachers, community volunteers and health professionals to coach cricket and combine the game with HIV/AIDS messages. We focussed on the ‘ABC’ message, Abstaining, Being faithful and using Condoms. We also encouraged people to ‘know their status’ via HIV testing. I set the ball rolling with the first test of the tour. It was interesting to see that at the beginning of my test I was the only person there, while by the end, the chairs behind me had begun to fill up. We related these messages to cricket, abstaining from hitting the ball in the air, being faithful to your team and using your bat to protect your stumps. One chance in life, one chance in cricket was a very powerful message. We would then spend two British, through Idi Amin and now the much-ridiculed days coaching children and end with a Festival Day, including President Museveni. The area had suffered from horrendous HIV testing for the local community while the children played flooding which had wiped out swathes of the population. Huge cricket. numbers of children turned up for our coaching sessions, many Most importantly, whatever we did had to be sustainable. rocking up on the back of pick-up trucks, an approach to Health Ensuring that cricket, and the HIV messages that go with it, and Safety that would give heart attacks to many in this country. would continue after we had gone was a huge priority. The Over 450 children attended our Festival Day, which people that we met over there were incredibly determined. unfortunately ended with a massive rainstorm just as the finals Teachers such as Juliet Kantambare, who uses every excuse to were building into dramatic climaxes. integrate HIV education into her lessons, Winifred Kemisisa During the middle Saturday of our stay, we who has taught her children to play cricket with paid an unpublicised visit to Bukonyo, to coach no formal equipment and Edward Mugume, at a school that has made huge progress in who has focused on cricket to help promote moving towards a HIV free environment. This girls in society were an inspiration. All are has been complicated by taking in a large doing the hard work day after day in difficult number of refugees from Congo, including circumstances. The best we can do is simply young men who had been forced to take up support the amazing work they are already arms at a very young age. Despite the undertaking. difficulties, the area and the school had made Our first port of call was the Mehta Group massive efforts to integrate the newcomers and compound in Lugazi. Mehta are an the respect for humanity was amazingly African/Asian firm which has operated in the moving for such a poor area. Coaching a few area for over 100 years and also has holdings in kilometres from a war zone was also a new India, Kenya and beyond. The company has experience for me, despite working in some set up schools, hospitals and sports facilities dodgy areas around Manchester in the past! within the compound, which houses 50,000 Our last visit was to Fort Portal, a large market people, many of whom work for Mehta. We town in the South West of the country. The teeming bazaar was stayed at the Group’s beautiful Guest House, accessible via astonishing, cries of “Mzungu!” (“white man”) coming from three checkpoints staffed by armed security. Life is safe and every stall as the hustlers attempted to attract our attentions and secure for those living on the compound, though venturing our shillings. My children benefitted from a football shirt, some further afield was an eye opener. The compound clearly drains beautifully carved animals and genuine ‘ethnic’ jewellery, all of a lot of the local money away, and the sight of homeless people which set me back less than £20. While coaching here, I living and dying on the side of the road within half a mile of the discovered the poorest school I’d ever seen, where children wore Mehta utopia will stay with me forever. uniforms that were torn and tattered. I sat with them over lunch Kasese was a different area entirely, a semi-autonomous region and despite having nothing, they offered me their food. I had with a history of rebelling against Uganda’s rulers, from the taken out the junior shirts from my club to give them away to a deserving cause. Bukuku school definitely fitted the bill. Whether or not they were assisted by their new kit, their under 13 team made it through to the final on festival day, losing an excellent game to Kazingo school by just seven runs. Adapting to home reality again was a difficult process after such an amazing experience. Perceptions change when you’ve seen things through a different focus. I lost two days thanks to an infection which laid me low and I still remember Emmanuel commenting on the condition of my skin when leaving. “Your body isn’t used to Africa, I can tell by your wounds. But you think like an African and I want you back.” I want to go back. I want to go back very soon. Liam Stubbs

39 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Battlefields Trip

The annual visit to the World War One battlefields and cemeteries of Flanders and the Somme always seems to inspire our students. It is a profound and moving educational experience.

“My experience in Belgium was an incredible one to say the least. It was very educational but it also put a completely new perspective on things and made me have even more respect for the people who fought in the Great War. The trips to the graves where we saw all the names written on the walls was shocking and tear-jerking but I’m so glad I went. It was also nice to be able to make new friends and spend time with new people. It’s a trip I would happily go on again.” Lily Ellis, 9JL

“Going to Belgium was one of the highlights of Year 8. I really enjoyed visiting the different historical places and I found them really engaging. The impact that the memorials had was immense and it made you realise the extent of the suffering that the war created. You realise that these were actual people and not just numbers in a In addition to our visits and educational textbook. As well as the historical aspect we talks we reflected upon everything that also visited a theme park and went we experienced. We expressed ourselves shopping in Bruges. I think it was very through art, poetry and sometimes song. worthwhile; I made a lot of good friends Our students always reflect with who I am still close to today and learned so creativity, maturity and a deep much about our past, all thanks to this sensitivity. They are always the best trip.” ambassadors for our community. Jess Banda, 9JL

40 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Maths at MCS Intermediate Mathematical Maths Challenge Olympiad Success 2016 for Girls

Students at MCS achieved two Gold, five Silver and 13 Bronze certificates In October 2015, Lara Gordon, in this year’s UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge (IMC). The IMC Annicca Prince, Georgia Howe, encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in Bethan Arnell and Carys Robbins using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. Over participated and achieved success in 200,000 students from across the UK sat the IMC and nationally, the top the Mathematical Olympiad for 6% were awarded a gold certificate, the next 13% silver and the next 21% Girls. Over 1500 girls nationwide bronze. took part, with the top 25% The top 5% were invited to sit a follow-on Kangaroo round. Emily Brown receiving a Certificate of Distinction. was the highest scorer in the school and also got through to the Pink Kangaroo round where she attained a Qualification certificate. Year 13 student, Lara, achieved this certificate as well as a book prize for Well done all! being a high scorer. Lara then went Gold Cerificates: on to receive a qualification Award Emily Brown 10LE in the first round of the British Robert Williams 10NI Mathematical Olympiad. Silver Certificates Carys Robbins 11HF Matthew Brown 10BI Adam Jones 10GD Cassie De St Croix 10NJ Ben Davies 9SN Bronze Certificates Louis Proctor 11HF Rhys Mason 10LD Myles Tompkins 10LD Lily Hough 10LE Freddie Oubridge Brock 10LD Anna Moore 10NI Skye Ford 10LD Katie Kearsey 10NJ Lily Ellis 9JL Daisy Hale 9AF David Johnston 9SN Katie Mapp 9HA Lewis McNally 9SN

41 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Maths at MCS It all adds up in Paris

The Maths Faculty, along with 74 KS4 students, embarked on a trip to Paris in the very early hours of February 14th.

grand building that is the Arc de fireworks signalled the end of our day Triomphe. Our bus driver then gave us a and sadly made our way back to the brief tour of the city and left us at the hotel for our last night. Louvre where we saw the setting of the Da Vinci Code, Pyramide du Louvre, Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece the Mona Lisa with all its mathematical properties (and for some, another We made speedy progress which McDonalds)! After a long day it was allowed us to have a leisurely stop at the back to our rooms for a good sleep services for our breakfast (who knew before another fun-filled day ahead. McDonalds was so popular at that time Tuesday saw us take part in a of the morning?!). Our tunnel crossing seminar and workshop learning how quickly passed and before long we were mathematics was used by cast members seeing the French landscapes. We (staff) at the Disneyland theme parks. excitedly arrived at our hotel and Students were able to plan and present checked in before making our way to their ideas to Disney staff, who seemed Disney Village for the evening. Planet impressed by our students’ imagination Hollywood fed us and there were plenty and attention to detail. Our trip, of of shops to keep us entertained until course, wouldn’t have been complete Our final day started with more breakfast bedtime. without a visit to the theme park itself buffet followed by a further seminar and It was an early start again on Monday so and so we spent the rest of the day a last chance shopping stop. On the that we could make the most of the exploring the rides and making sure that return journey students reflected on hotel’s breakfast buffet before our the earlier mathematics taught to us had what had been a thoroughly enjoyable adventure in the city of Paris. We cruised been correct. We stayed until the time; they were a credit to themselves as along the Seine after seeing the magic of well as our school the Eiffel Tower (unfortunately we were Planning for the next trip has already unable to go up) and then walked begun, watch this space…! through the streets of Paris to see the Miss Simmonds

42 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

It all adds up in Paris Maths at MCS

Bletchley Park Our Maths trip started with a three and a half hour journey to Bletchley.

When we first arrived we were warmly welcomed into the Park and were given a short rest which we appreciated after the long drive. We then jumped straight into the wonders that the Park had We all found the Code Breaking Workshop very intriguing to offer, such as as we were able to do some code breaking ourselves. the history of Within the workshop we saw a real Enigma machine that the amazing was featured in ‘The Imitation Game’ and were able events that took to use it. We place there and also learned how the Alan Turing Enigma machines Museum - where work and how we met his teddy they were used bear‚ Porgy‚ and the 'Bombe' machine that he created to during World decipher the Enigma code. We had a tour of the Park where War II. Overall we we saw some of the iconic buildings and rooms that loved the trip; belonged to it and we stood on the set of ‘The Imitation the staff were Game’ which greatly interested us. very kind and informative and we felt that we learned a lot and no Our tour was questions were very interesting; left unanswered. led by a brilliant tour guide we The only flaw in were told the the trip was the amazing history long distance of the Park‚ that we had to shown some of travel to get the famous there and the places within it and learned of the incredible events that took amount of time place there. During the tour we learned how homing pigeons the journey took – this really cut the day short and we wanted – a selectively bred variety of domestic pigeon capable of to see so much more. However‚ this couldn’t be helped and finding their way home from very long distances away - were the staff at Bletchley did an amazing job of allowing us to see used during World War II to send important messages. We as much as possible before we had to leave. We would were shown some of the houses where homing pigeons were definitely recommend this trip to friends and family as we kept in pigeon lofts. The sound effects hidden around the thoroughly enjoyed it. Park were a lovely detail and created an excellent atmosphere, Rhys Mason‚ Archie Oubridge Brock and Skye Ford making us feel as if we were really in the 1940s.

43 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Art

James Whittaker James Whittaker

Phaedra Dickson

Chloe Berry Kayleigh Clarke

Abi Williams

Charley Bicknell Jeena Sriphan Abigail Birchall

Emma Arnett

Naiomi Armitage Kayleigh Clarke

44 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Youth Speaks When I stood up and faced a full questions about it. I wasn’t the only one me why I love speech writing and public courtroom at the Shire Hall in with a difficult job, Eleri had the tough speaking. task of being the first person in our team Monmouth on a rainy evening in A main speaker can be as good as he or to stand up and address the room. She did she likes, but must rely upon the skill of January, I thought I had a pretty this brilliantly, immediately captivating the Chair and the giver of the Vote of good idea how prisoners in the our audience with confidence and Thanks to sufficiently engage the olden days must have felt, waiting assurance. Ella had a similarly difficult audience and then leave them with a to receive their sentence! job. She not only had to deliver a punchy thought-provoking conclusion. I could conclusion to our team’s efforts, she also not have asked for better team mates My heart was racing. My stomach was had to think on her feet, by interweaving than Hannah Pope and Flo Mayo. They churning and I wondered how on earth I elements from whatever questions the very kindly adapted their speeches to fit was going to manage to deliver a ten judges asked me. She did this with my new speech and I marvelled at minute speech in front of a serious- exceptionally well. their assured evaluation of such a divisive looking set of judges and some strong Being part of the team was, by far, the topic. I marvelled, equally, at the ability competition from other local schools. best part for me. I was proud of Eleri of the Junior Team’s speech writing But as soon as I got my first sentence out and Ella, and I wanted to make sure I did ability and skill of delivery and their something unexpected happened; I the best I could for them - and for choice of such a mature and relevant actually started enjoying myself. Mrs Stocks and Monmouth Comprehensive topic such as Materialism in our I was competing in a team with two School. Indeed, I discovered that something Consumer Society. They truly deserved other students from MCS - Eleri Jarrold strange happens when you know you’re every bit of their victory over somewhat from Y7 and Ella De St Croix from Y8 - in representing your school. You stand just lacklustre competitors. the annual Youth Speaks Debating a little bit taller. You speak with a greater Our topic, Gender Equality, had been Competition, run by the Rotary Club. level of confidence and, most unexpected pre-picked by the team which I came When Mrs Stocks from the English of all, you find your nervousness turns to into late, and I was extremely glad that Faculty approached us with the idea of adrenalin as you realise you can do it! this topic had been picked. Not because taking part in the competition, our first You know you can do it. it is what I would have gone with, but dilemma was what to speak about. At When the judges delivered their verdict a because it is exactly the opposite of that. first we considered serious topics like little while later we were thrilled to have My topic of choice would have reliably women’s rights and animals in captivity won that round of the competition, been some dry historical debate and I but eventually the subject that most despite some strong opposition from found it far more stimulating to have the appealed was something close to my other local schools. constraints of a topic to which I heart - shopping! Ella came up with the I loved being part of the Youth Speaks previously had not given much thought. title - ‘Do you own your stuff, or does team, and even though we were Although it was eventually decided that your stuff own you.’ Teenage eventually pipped at the post in the we had been bested by our competitors consumerism was something we all had following rounds - narrowly losing out (for my full rant on this decision a lot to say about! to a school from Bristol, I’m already please feel free to speak with me The competition had strict rules. I had to hoping for a rematch! anytime) we left the Shire Hall and the poignant setting of the Chartist deliver my speech within a tight time Alice Barrell, 8MD limit - with penalties if I went over or Courtroom with our teachers, parents under the allotted time. One member of Being called into Youth Speaks with and even the mothers of our competitors our team had to be the Chairperson, congratulating us and bemoaning the about two weeks to prepare was an final ruling. We left with a huge sense of another would be the Main Speaker and interesting experience. the third would deliver the Vote of accomplishment. We had been tested in one of the most gruelling ways, public Thanks. In our team, Eleri took on the To have to write a substantial and speaking, and we all were sure that the role of Chairperson, Ella did the Vote of engaging speech without simply copying impression that the silence in a room, Thanks and I was the Main Speaker. It from my copy of Penguin’s Greatest anticipating your words, would stay with was daunting, especially as I knew that Speeches was a challenge which I us forever. after I had delivered my speech the thoroughly enjoyed - the rather touch judges would get a chance to ask me and go editing and practising reminding Wulf Scouller, 12DA

45 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Summer Learning 20 15

Day One The next activity of the day was practice for the upcoming sports day. This involved the classic welly throwing, egg and At first I was really nervous about volunteering at my old spoon and hurdles. It made me remember how something so Primary school, Cross Ash, as I wasn’t sure what to expect. simple, such as a short race, meant so much when I was When I arrived I was happy to see familiar faces and younger. It was really rewarding watching the students intrigued to get to know those I didn’t recognise from my improve at the activities we were working on. time at the school. I started my day off in Year 5, supporting them to create and Day Two draw monsters, followed by a short story using a book they My second day volunteering was also an enjoyable one. I was had recently read as their motive. I really enjoyed this task as allocated to help Year 3 with group reading. Memories came I used my passion for English to guide younger students and flooding back when I discovered the book they were reading widen their skills in English. The next part of my day was one I read with my fellow classmates when I was in Y3. involved a little more creativity in the Reception class. I Thursday afternoon was then spent studying the Jewish helped them create butterfly paintings after being taught faith, in particular Sabbath, and, even though I do say so about symmetry in a maths lesson. It was really great to see myself, I found that I was a great help as I am currently the children interact and enjoy themselves whilst learning! studying Judaism for my GCSE Religious Studies. I genuinely didn’t realise how much work goes into preparation of lessons and it was a real eye opener into the world of teaching! I was absolutely exhausted after the end of day two but I can honestly say I’d love another opportunity to return to Cross Ash Primary. Hannah Jones, 10BG On Friday 26th of June, as part of Summer Learning, the whole of Y10 who weren't taking part in the DofE walked to the bus bay to travel to the Tipi Adventure resort at Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire. This was the first time the school had visited Tipi and as soon as we arrived each group rushed off to their first activity.

46 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Tipi provides a number of activities including cycling, Mid-way through the day we came back together as a group archery, orienteering, nature trails and canoeing to name but where we were responsible for cooking our own lunches on a few. the barbecue – not without its problems, I must say, but we survived! Some of us took to the bikes in groups of eight and cycled around on the cycle paths looking for letters and numbers as Canoeing was a student favourite, a fun activity for all, with part of the Treasure Hunt. numerous groups jumping in and having mini water fights on a warm day with their groups of friends. Our penultimate activity was archery, which was a really good laugh. It was hard but it was an amazing activity - even if not many arrows did land on the board! We really enjoyed it. We finished the day with a tug of war battle between everybody on the trip (with a questionable contribution from some of the teachers) and then it was time to head to the buses to go home. Overall the day out was fantastic and there wasn't one bad word said about the adventure! I would recommend this trip to all! Nathan Hawkins, 10BG

47 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’

On the 1st of March this year, peformers from MCS, Monmouth School and HMSG came together at the Blake Theatre for the finals of ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’. Not only did the night showcase the wide breadth of talent in the three schools, but it also helped to raise £2603.93 for the local charity, MIND Monmouthshire - a mental health charity based in Abergavenny which aims to help people accept, understand and tackle mental illnesses

My first memory of ‘Monmouth’s Got in the audience rather than on stage. Talent’ was when I took part in Year 7. Being more experienced and confident Being the youngest competitior, than I was in Year 7, this year I decided naturally I felt very nervous and to audition again for Monmouth’s Got intimidated by the older, more Talent. Three acts were chosen from the experienced peformers I was semi-finals to represent Monmouth competing against. Nevertheless, I Comprehensive in the finals. The acts thoroughly enjoyed the experience and selected were Cassie and Ella De Saint since then I have grown in confidence Croix and Ella Young. For the semi- by taking part in local events. In the finals, I sang a cover of ‘Kiss from a summer of 2014, Gracie Follows and I been running for over 30 years and is Rose’ by Seal and for the finals, I sang took part in the Coleford Busking the largest free Festival in Europe and I ‘Running up that Hill’’ by Kate Bush. Festival. The Festival allows local am excited and honoured to support Both songs took a lot of time and effort musicians to showcase their talent by this amazing event and to help raise to arrange, especially the guitar part as busking around the town and funds to keep it a free Festival. peforming on stage. This led me to take I’m a relatively inexperienced guitar I’d like to thank the Head Girls and part in the Monmouth Busking Festival player. However, my hard work paid off Head Boys for the hard they work they in 2015 and was the first time I had when, to my genuine surprise, I won the put in organising the event and to peformed with a guitar. To my surprise, competition! The prize for winning everyone who came and watched to I was lucky enough to be invited to sing ‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ was the raise funds for the charity, MIND on the main stage at Monmouth opportunity to have a session at a local Festival. This was a fantastic (and odd) recording studio and to peform again at Monmouthire. experience as every summer, I’ve been Monmouth Festival. The Festival has Bronwen Davies, 10BI

48 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Design & Technology Work

James Thompson

William Thompson Josh Nicholas

Bryn Bloodworth

Ryan Cotton

Kayleigh Clarke

Corey Harper

Iestyn Mayers

Holly Preece

Joe Impey Will Long Natasha Chandra

49 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Eisteddfod Ysgol Gyfun Trefynwy Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Eisteddfod BEAT THE CLOCK BEFORE THE CHIME!

On Friday the 11th of March 2016 we celebrated our annual Monmouth Comprehensive School Eisteddfod, an event which gives students from Years 7, 8 and 9 an opportunity to show off their academic and performing abilities.

For most cases this story was the opposite way around and I would like to give special congratulations to 7PT for winning the Grand Cup for Y7 and, yes, they did go up on the stage more than once to collect prizes. To sum up the day, it was three hours jam-packed with fun, entertainment and success. A day that I can guarantee many will have enjoyed. This celebration also shows us how many talents and subject successes we have as a school. However, the main aspect is that it helps us understand why we celebrate Eisteddfod The Eisteddfod offers a wide range of still earn points for entering. Even if it is at MCS. enjoyment. From waiting in anticipation a little extra work, it really does make a Eleri Jarrold, 7SS to see if your Form wins the Grand Cup, difference to your final score. being entertained by: singing, magic, Another example, our Form (7SS) entered dancing, class song competitions or by a competition entitled ‘A creative watching the new Justin Bieber! response to Welsh success’. We thought There is a wide repertoire of exciting acts our idea was the winner. What better to indulge in. Not just entertainment but way to display Welsh success other than classwork competitions too. However, all a talent show? All the hard work paid off pieces of work had to be handed in with people making fools of themselves, before three o’clock on Thursday the Tom bringing his camera in every day to 10th of March. You don’t just earn record the acts and the dedication that points by having fun in your Form, you we all put in into creating and can earn points in many different ways in performing our creative response… yes, Maths, English and many other subjects. even you Mrs Stocks! We came back For example, for the Humanities task we with second place… a second… so close had to create a coat of arms representing yet so far. Well, let’s just say that most Monmouth along with a 200 word essay Forms went up onto the stage to collect to inform them why your coat of arms is prizes more than once! So, as this was styled and displayed as it is. They would the only prize certificate won by 7SS out be judged and even if yours wasn’t of the whole of the Eisteddfod, we are placed first, second or third you would extremely proud of it!

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Student Design & Technology Work

Lewis Davies

Callum Roberts

William Jones

Cameron Jones

Tom Brice Joe Pemberton

51 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Forensic Toxicology Forensic toxicology isn’t something I can say I knew a lot about before I was asked in one of my GCSE biology lessons if I wanted to go to a lecture being held at the school for students interested in a potential career in that field. I took the opportunity to get some experience – not really sure if I wanted to go into forensics but having a steadfast interest in sciences (as any Triple Science student should) and knowing that any extra knowledge I could get on career paths would someday be useful when it is time to fly the secure nest of education and show which potential drugs were involved in a death. We learnt look for a job. about all manner of different things - things like what effects A group of forty or so science ‘enthusiasts’ were met by Class A drugs have on the connections our brains make, or why Mr Hampshire and Mr Sinkowski, who introduced us to simple use of over-the-counter drugs could do some serious Dr Simon Elliott, managing director at ROAR Forensics. It was harm if mixed with other drugs. great to have someone who was very specialised in their field Overall, it was an extremely valuable experience for lower school come to talk to us, as Dr Elliott had gone from ‘dabbling’ in and sixth form students alike, and Dr Elliott deserves great forensics to becoming a director of a major company. He was thanks, along with Mr Robertshaw (MCS governor) for helping able to talk to us on all levels of speciality, from alcohol related to organise this event with Mr Hampshire and Mr Sinkowski. deaths to throwing electrons at chemicals found in blood to Cassie De St Croix, 10NJ

On a warm September evening, Faulty Communications A Level Geographers and Geologists visited the National Museum of Wales’ stunning Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre to listen to a lecture by well-known geologist Professor Iain Stewart of the University of Plymouth and television fame.

research around the world. At the conclusion of the formal presentation we were all very aware of the need for physical and social scientists to work together to inform vulnerable populations, and help prepare them for any such hazards happening in their ‘Faulty Communications’ raised the issue involved in, with MCS being a significant local and national regions. of how we should be developing our part of a very distinguished audience – At the end of the evening MCS led communication skills in making the the experienced geologists from the the way and took to the stage to grab wider world aware of the science of ESTA conference (Earth Science Teachers a group photo with Prof Stewart. tectonic hazards in an accessible and Association), academics from Cardiff He took time to speak to us all; fielding understandable format (particularly University and around the UK and our many questions, offering advice earthquakes). It also dealt with the Europe, plus many Sixth Form students andencouragement and genuine delight ethical issues around how we should be and staff from an array of interested at us coming to a physical geography sharing our knowledge and expertise in schools. Professor Stewart engaged the lecture on a Friday night. It is not every monitoring tectonic events with the audience in a lecture that felt more like a day that we are graced with such an developing world. journey full of fantastic facts and figures eminent geophysical figure, so it made a The event itself was a privilege to be and his personal accounts of earthquake Friday night lecture more than worth it!

52 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 MCS Components of an excellent lesson Elfennau Gwersi Ardderchog YGT In our school, all of our lessons are based around five components of learning. The components came about as a result of feedback from our Student Councils and teaching staff; they were asked “what makes for an excellent lesson?”

The ideas were brought to life by a talented group of artistic students, guided by Mr Lewis, a teacher who, in a previous life, had been a cartoonist. Now they are an important feature of school life and can be seen in every classroom. The first component is ‘visible progress’ in learning. Teachers celebrate our achievements but always give us suggestions to improve. This makes us strive to work to the best of our abilities, building on skills to progress to the next level. This links onto the next component, ‘development of skills’. In our lessons we are encouraged to use a wide variety of skills, especially literacy and numeracy. There is always room to be creative. Skills like teamwork are valued, helping us to learn to lead our lives. In our lives, being able to ask appropriate questions is also an important skill. In our lessons we have the confidence to ask questions when we don’t understand. By using effective questioning we are becoming more independent. Teachers challenge us with open- ended questions that make us think. These lead us to ask more questions which therefore challenge us. In classes of mixed abilities, it is important to ‘challenge every learner’. It builds our confidence helping us to aim high. In our school, everyone is encouraged to have aspirational targets and level descriptors are used to help us take responsibility for our progress. Our progress is monitored with ‘feedback’ to improve from our teachers and peers. We regularly self-assess, revisiting our targets and showing independence. Feedback in lessons is constructive creating a dialogue between student and teacher. This is creating positive working relationships between student and teacher. Our school values are independence, success for all, freedom with responsibility, security and respect. Students are responsible for their own learning, giving us freedom to lead our learning, being able to show progression throughout our lessons. All of these components link to our school motto, Learning to Lead our Lives. As students, we feel that it is very important to have values that link to us, our teachers and our lessons. We think that these components give a guideline for student and teacher alike to relate to and follow. Bethany Piper & Alice Barrell, Y8

53 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Monmouthshire Business Awards

It’s not every day that you get to enjoy fine dining at the Celtic Manor with hundreds of local entrepreneurs but, as a ‘student ambassador’ for the 2015 Monmouthshire Business Awards, I was fortunate enough to do exactly that.

The Awards show describes itself as ‘The Oscars of Welsh Business’ and with well over four hundred business people attending the black-tie event, and a guest- list including Welsh Government ministers and members of parliament, it’s easy to see why. In my role I was able to play a part in organising various aspects of the event, including the giving of awards, as well as having the opportunity to learn about how Business and Enterprise to ‘An Interview covered a wide range of topics from to run a successful business directly from with an Entrepreneur’; where, along with business and the economy to the those running them. It was inspiring to students from other local schools, we were upcoming referendum on Britain’s EU hear the stories of how local people had able to directly question a panel of membership. Both events were thoroughly built up their businesses and made good entrepreneurs, including international enjoyable and informative and provided us their bright ideas. I learnt a lot of valuable businessman and philanthropist Dr with a great insight into the thriving world lessons about entrepreneurialism. Stephen Fear. Dr Fear completed his first of local business and gave us plenty of Following this event, the other members of business deal via a pay-phone box at the inspiration for our studies. my A-level Economics and Business class age of fifteen, so knew a thing or two and I were invited by Monmouthshire about innovation and ingenuity! We Lewis Nicholas, 13TP Student Art

Sally West Abby Carrington Charis Francis

Natalie Morgan Zoe McIntosh Lauren Waycott

54 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Business and ICT Trip to Cadbury World

In December 2015, 35 Y11 students studying Business and ICT went on a trip to Cadbury World.

The link between ICT, Business Studies and chocolate may We continued the morning with a tour around the factory seem unclear but after spending the morning listening to an and learnt about the methods of production at Cadbury interactive talk about the heritage of the business, the World. ownership it has passed through and the machinery and The afternoon saw us studying the retail industry at the Bull processes that happen to make the chocolate we all eat, we Ring which is a major commercial area of Birmingham and could see why computers and business are so important in discovered that Business Studies is very interesting when you the success of the business. apply it to shopping.

55 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Literacy in Sport

The Sport’s Literacy Competition is now in its second year and our link with Newport County AFC and Newport Gwent Dragons has grown from strength to strength. The Sport’s Literacy Competition is a monthly competition, aimed at improving writing and literacy levels.

Each month students are asked to produce a different form of sportsman himself, playing football for the school team as well writing, based around a sport of their choice. The written tasks as being the first choice goalkeeper for Newport County U14s. can vary from a creative story to a factual article or opinionated review. The entries are judged on the content, written accuracy, School Denied Double Delight grammatical structures and the organisation of the writing. On a beautiful spring-like afternoon, Monmouth Comprehensive There are a variety of prizes available each month and so far this School’s Y7s and Y8s football team welcomed Cardiff based has included Newport County AFC tickets, Newport Gwent sides Bro Morgannwg and Ysgol Glantaf to the Sportsground in Dragons tickets, a signed rugby ball and signed football shirts, the Quarter Finals of the Welsh Cup. First up was the Y7s. ball boy/girl guard-of- honour match day Michael’s Minis Make History experience, visits to Monmouth Comprehensive School 3-1 Bro Morgannwg both home grounds Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Y7s went into their Welsh and interviews with Cup Quarter Final unbeaten all season. Manager players. We have also Mr Michael made no changes to his side that narrowly beat had students’ work Aberdare in the last sixteen. Bro Morgannwg beat Ystalyfera in published in match day the last match round of sixteen. programmes. This year we have also opened Bro Morgannwg started the game the better of the two sides, up the Sports Literacy attacking with real intensity. Bro Morgannwg got their reward Competition to one of for their positive start when their winger cut in on his left foot our feeder schools, and drilled a shot into the Raglan Primary. We bottom corner. MCS hope to continue our immediately responded and relationship with found an equaliser in the Newport County AFC seventh minute when Lewis MCS Students Guard-of-Honour Ball and Newport Gwent Lloyd crossed a ball into the Boys at Newport County AFC v Barnet Dragons next year, box which was cleared by a both of whom have supported the competition and inspired our Bro Morgannwg defender, students. only for it to fall to Monmouth’s danger man As part of the Sport’s Literacy Competition, one of the Tommy Tynan who placed participating students, Dan Keane, has now produced a sport’s his shot into the top corner, report, following our Year 7 and 8 football teams in the Welsh giving the keeper no chance Cup. of saving it. MCS grew into Dan said, “I didn’t really enjoy writing before coming to MCS. I the game, playing their one and two touch football, looking to found it hard and I didn’t really find anything that I was set their attacking players through on goal in the final third. interested in writing about.” However, Dan started taking part MCS dominated the next ten minutes and got their reward in Mr Hancocke’s and Miss Jenkins’ ‘Sports Literacy when Jake Bevan was tripped over outside the box; Competitions’ writing match reports, sportsperson profiles and George Merritt stepped up and drilled his shot into the bottom team analyses. “Since having opportunities to write about right corner. things I was genuinely interested in, like sport, my interest and Monmouth started the second half as they ended the first, confidence in writing has grown. The match reports that I playing their fast flowing counter-attacking football and completed below for the magazine were not even part of a frustrating Bro Morgannwg in defence. MCS nearly found their competition, I just found that I had a new-found interest in third in the thirty-fifth minute when George Merritt floated a writing, especially about sport,” Dan said. Dan is a keen

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minute when Callum Wood cut in on his favoured right foot and drilled his shot towards goal which the Glantaf keeper tipped around the post. Glantaf grew into the game, playing their possession-style football, frustrating Monmouth. Glantaf’s dominance almost paid off in the twenty-second minute when Glantaf’s midfielder played a through ball for their striker to run onto it going one-on-one with Monmouth’s stopper Emyr Pullen. Pullen came out on top, saving with his foot. Shortly after, Glantaf’s pressure earned them a goal when their midfielder had loads of time and space to run at Monmouth’s MCS students interviewing Newport County AFC players defence and shoot from (Kieran Parselle and Matt Partridge) at Rodney Parade outside the box, with his shot finding the bottom left ball into the box to Lewis Lloyd, whose header went just wide of corner. the post. Monmouth were rewarded for their dominance after Glantaf started the second striker Alfie George won the ball off a Bro Morgannwg defender half as they ended the first just outside the box going ‘one on one’ with Bro Morgannwg’s and got their reward in the goalkeeper and placing it into the bottom corner. Monmouth thirty-sixth minute when had an opportunity to finish the game off in style when their winger was tripped up Tommy Tynan played a through ball down the line to target man inside the box, however, Alfie George, but his shot hit the side netting from an angle. Emyr Pullen pulled off a Manager Mr Michael described the win as “Emphatic.” He said, world class save to his left. In “I’m so proud of the boys. They’ve made history. No Monmouth the fifty-first minute Glantaf Comprehensive School side has ever reached the semi-finals of extended their lead when the Welsh Cup. Monmouth is now looking to build on their fine their midfielder again had Dan Keane, Jacob Parella and run of form and make history in the semi-final against Bishop of loads of space and time Mathew Jones interviewing goalkeeper Joe Day post-match Llandaff”. outside the eighteen yard box and his shot flew into the top corner, leaving Pullen no Monmouth’s Dreams Dashed chance. Glantaf had a chance to go three up in the fifty-sixth Monmouth Comprehensive School 0-2 Ysgol Glantaf minute when a Monmouth defender lost the ball on the edge of Now it was the Monmouth Comprehensive School Y8s turn. the box and Glantaf’s striker went one-on-one with This team had only lost one game all season and Manager Monmouth’s keeper, with the shot going just wide. Mr Hancocke made no changes to his side that edged past Manager Mr Hancocke described the narrow defeat as Pontarddulais. Glantaf, who are the reigning champions of the “Devastating.” He said, “It just wasn’t our day. We didn’t have competition had beaten Y Pant in the last sixteen. any luck but I’m so proud of the lads to get so far in the MCS started the game the brighter of the two sides, playing competition is a massive achievement”. their direct style football and nearly taking the lead in the first Dan Keane, 9AF Sports Reporter Year 7 and 8 Premier League Reading Stars Programme

A big well done to all those students in Years 7 and 8 who have just completed the Premier League Reading Stars Programme, supported by the National Literacy Trust and the Premier League.

The boys have worked very hard on their literacy skills and have workshop and gave the boys a brilliant freestyle performance. certainly learned a lot over the Programme - they have definitely As part of the day, the boys had a full tour of the stadium and taught me a thing or two about football as well!! As part of the looked into what it might be like to work in sports psychology Programme, they were invited to attend an event at Cardiff City or sports media. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and it Stadium where they took part in workshops run by children’s was a great way to end the programme after all their hard work. author and script writer Dan Anthony, as well as Young People’s Laureate for Wales, Martin Dawes. Mr Dawes ran a tremendous Mrs Davies Maddocks

57 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Two of our students were shortlisted for worldwide Art photography competitions this year. Emily Bagshaw was a ‘World in Photography ‘finalist with ‘Rose in Decay’ and Elliott Kramer was an ‘Outdoor Update Photographer’ of the Year finalist.

Bradley Smith won the public vote at the Joint Schools Art & Design Exhibition at Shire Hall in November with ‘Motorised Pig’. The Exhibition showed a variety of artwork from MCS, Monmouth School and HSMG and was opened by potter Walter Keller. E B l l r i a

MCS art was on display at the Peg o d t t l

It Up Exhibition at Penallt – an e K y r

S annual event which gives students a m m

the opportunity to present their i e t r h

art to the wider community. E m i l y

B

Students from the Art Faculty took their annual trip to a g

Oxford, visiting the University of Natural History, the s h a

Museum of Modern Art and the Oxford Botanical Gardens. w

Students took advantage of the exhibits on offer to inspire their own artwork. Y12 students made their annual pilgrimage to Southerndown; Tom Finn said “It was a good experience and I would recommend it for people interested in art and people sitting art in Sixth Form. This trip enabled me to add a lot of work to my sketch book. Weather was good too!” Emily Perks added “The aim of the trip was to experiment using different medias; oil paints, water-colours and photography. I felt that the photography was my strongest, as I liked being able to experiment with different lighting. I think my weakest area was the oil paintings as I found it hard to blend the paint to make my painting flow.”

58 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Monmouth Comprehensive’s emphasis on health and wellbeing recognised

Monmouth Comprehensive’s major achievement of gaining the Welsh Network of Healthy Schools Schemes National Quality Award - one of only ten in Wales to have done so - was recognised with the presentation of a plaque by Carol Maher.

MCS has totally embraced the healthy into the ethos of MCS and its impact schools concept which was substantiated across a wide range of issues; most during a very thorough assessment notably on the mental and emotional praising outstanding practices. The health and wellbeing of students. In school was delighted to welcome addition, the school encourages representatives from Public Health personal development and the Wales, Monmouth County Council’s importance of personal relationships, Chief Officer For Children and Young mutual support and the ability to adapt People, Sarah McGuinness, governors, and compromise. students and members of its assessment Finally, priority is given to protecting and team to share in the success. promoting the health and wellbeing of Central to achieving such high praise As a result of this truly committed those connected to the school, including was the work of the student body who approach, it’s evident that health, students, staff, parents and representatives supported the assessors. We would like wellbeing and the healthy school concept of partner organisations. to particularly thank Harry Sully, Emily are embedded in MCS's life and culture. Headteacher Vaughan Davies said: Shields, Alex Dart, Stephanie Painter, While the verification process “We are delighted and proud of the Sam Uttley and Charlotte Uttley who demonstrated the excellent work, three recognition MCS has received from the each presented their views about certain features of school life stand out. National Quality Award for Health and aspects of school life to our assessor Restorative practice has been bonded Wellbeing. team.” Academies Update Monmouth Comprehensive School runs a wide programme of extra-curricular activities for all of their students. Within this there are Academy sessions through which students can access tuition by specialised sport coaches.

The school’s Taekwondo Academy is a very popular session with students learning a wide range of skills. They have recently been working towards a grading and 12 students have been successful in achieving this. Paul Sullivan, Monmouthshire Sport Development, said “having a varied range of extra-curricular with sufficient competency to obtain the grade. The grade provision is key to ensuring we achieve our target of getting obtained is a world-wide recognised grade in WTF Taekwondo, every student hooked on sport. By having a wide programme meaning it is recognised in all WTF practising clubs across the of activities to select from between PE led, 5x60 and Academy world. Session content is a mix between basic movements sessions, there really is something for everyone. It is great to see (kicks, punches, blocks, stances etc), pre-arranged patterns the success students in the Taekwondo Academy have had and (called Poomsae), self-defence training, sport sparring and is testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the Korean Terminology. As the students only receive 60 minutes of term”. tuition a week during term time, they have shown great Alastair Eustace, Taekwondo Academy Coach said “the grades improvement in these key areas and their new grades are well start at 10th Kup (White belt) and progress to 1st Kup (Red Belt, deserved”. Black Ends) before moving on to Black Belt. Black Belts then For more information on the Taekwondo academy or any of the progress from 1st Dan to 10th Dan. Each grade has its own other sporting opportunities available at MCS please contact syllabus and strict requirements which have to be performed Paul Sullivan on [email protected].

59 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Domino Effect Cambrian Year 12 students took part in an interactive presentation from South Wales Fire Service, the ‘Domino Effect’ on 21st April. Patrol A handful of students at MCS are part of the Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force. Recently, we took part in an England and Wales wide competition called the Cambrian Patrol.

The Domino Effect explores the main seven reasons why young people are being killed on the roads: Speed, Peer Pressure, Lack of Experience, Not wearing a Seatbelt, Drink and Drug Driving, Lack of Concentration and the use of Mobile Phones/Hand held devices. Y12 found the crashed car that was brought to the car park enlightening and thought-provoking, encouraging students to consider the impact that behaviour as a driver and as a passenger can have. As the photos show, you are also never too old to try on a Fire uniform!

This was a competition based on skills we have been taught throughout our cadet career. The competition consisted of walking with Bergan’s webbing and rifles, shooting, situational awareness, speed marching, battlefield first-aid and a firefight. The competition, which took place in Sennybridge (the training area of the SAS) lasted three days but the training lasted about two months. We are always warned about how Sennybridge has a weather of its own, as one minute it will be sunny and two minutes later you can find yourself in the middle of a blizzard. We all woke up on Saturday at three o’clock and started a 25 kilometre patrol at five in the morning. Over the patrol we had to pass eight different stands, some manned and some unmanned. We finished at two o’clock in the afternoon and were the first team to finish. We were then transported to the forestry block where we would be staying for the night. The next morning was a speed march over two kilometres. We woke up at seven and had to prepare all our kit for the march. We finished in ten minutes and arrived to the ranges as one of the fastest groups. Then we had five minutes to slow our heart rates and get ready for the shoot. The shoot was at two hundred metres and we had one mag to shoot at pop-up targets that stayed up for three seconds. After completing the shoot we were taken to Farm Five where we stayed for a cluster parade to distribute medals and prizes. Our team won silver medals and overall we won the County Cup which meant that Gwent and Powys was the best county out of England and Wales. Samuel King, 10NJ

60 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Cambrian Patrol

Workshop Drama

The Drama Department were delighted to welcome Frantic Assembly and Jamie Jarvis to MCS to conduct two workshops this year. Frantic Assembly’s unique physical style workshop combined movement, design music and text whereas Jamie Jarvis conducted a ‘stage combat’ workshop. All the students who attended really benefited from taking part in these two exhilarating workshops.

61 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Spain Sports Tour

This year the Sports Tour visited Spain, staying at the 4* Atalaya Park Resort, Malaga, making full use of the resort’s facilities as we prepared for our matches or took part in intensive training sessions and workshops. This trip provides students with the opportunity to experience sporting interests in a different cultural environment and is always well attended.

Once again, we were grateful for the kind sponsorship of Monmouthshire Housing Association, who sponsored the tour. Students had a busy seven days enjoying football, rugby, hockey, netball and dance. We also visited Gibraltar, the Puerto Banus Resort and enjoyed a Quiz Night, Karaoke Night and finished the trip with the MCS Awards Night. Dance The MCS Sports Tour 2016 was an amazing experience. We spent seven fun-packed days enjoying the sports and the sun. Our hotel was extremely comfortable with many good facilities, which we took advantage of when we weren’t busy participating in our sports. Out of the five sports available, every student that attended had tremendous fun in training and in the matches, although the Spanish opposition were hard to beat. Personally, I participated in dance and I enjoyed it a lot. The school brought a professional dance teacher from the UK who taught us hip hop and contemporary dance, which was extremely different from any other type of dance I had done in the past. A few days into our trip, the dance students went to a local dance school where we took the opportunity to take part in some traditional Spanish dances. Overall the trip was a great success and all the students and staff had a great time. I would very much like to attend another Sports Tour in the future as I enjoyed this one so very much. I would recommend this Tour to any other students interested in sport. Elen Roberts, 9HA

Students: Hope Allan, Olivia Barber, Andrew Beames, Georgia Bevan, Molly Bevan, Micaela Brain, Eloise Brown, Leah Brown, Bethan Carlton, Tia Childs, Libby Collins, Ben Davies, Joseph Draper, Lilly-Mae Etheridge, Chloe Evans, Skye Ford, Jess Fielding, Hunter Guthrie, Daisy Hale, Lydia Handley, Josie Harrison, Lucy Howells, Hannah Jenkins, Kellen Jenkins, Ellie Johnson, Dan Jones, Matthew Jones, Dan Keane, Harriet Kearsey, Emily Kenneford, Megan Knight, Kerry Kwok, Molly Lancett, Ruth Leslie, Nya Levy, Josh Lewis, Charlotte Marchant, Katy Mather, Kirsty Maylin, Alicia McLachlan, Adam Morgan, Hollie Morgan, Pippa Morgan, Troy Taylor-Morgan, Georgia Mulvaney, Serena Natt, Cameron Ogilvie, Lauren Oliver, Andrew Owens, Alec Parker, Jacob Perrella, Gaz Pryce, Louis Rennels, Elen Roberts, Naomi Roberts, Chloe Robertson, Lewis Robson, Lauren Ruck, Kyron Smith, Kenna Townsend, Charlotte Uttley, Sam Uttley, Anwen Van Der Horst, Olivia Wells, Ceinwen Williams, Sam Williams and Tegan Williams. Staff: Mr Devonald, Mr Jones, Miss Mortimer-Davies, Mr Milson, Mr Murphy, Miss Owen, Miss Trawford and Mr Owen .

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Netball For me the Sports Tour was absolutely amazing! I did netball and the coaches were fantastic. They were like an extra friend that you had on tour. I learnt so much but had fun at the same time. The food was great and there was such a variety! The hotel was excellent as well and I would highly recommend the Sports Tour to anyone who wants to learn how to play a sport and have great fun at the same time. Charlotte Uttley, 10NJ Football For a chance to play football, I thought the trip was excellent. Although I was probably the worst player there, I could still enjoy it as much as everyone else. The facilities and the games were great and when I got back home, I was a better footballer – fitter and with a better technique. It was my first Sports Tour and I didn’t regret one bit of it. Brilliant ! Sam Uttley, 8GM

63 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Quoi de Neu f? - Was Gibt’s? Frankfurt Think German Christmas Market Wales Conference KS4 and A Level German students were MFL German students from Year 9, 10 fortunate to experience the Frankfurt and Sixth Form attended an event at Christmas Market in Birmingham on a Swansea University promoting the use chilly Saturday in November. The visit of German and to experience a day in was also offered to other KS4/5 the life of a student. Students selected a students, as an opportunity to number of workshops and were able to experience cultural differences, in see the visiting exhibition Germany’s addition to the shopping experiences of the big city. Monmouth Schools Debate Competition For the second year in a row, Monmouth Comprehensive School participated in the A-Level French debate kindly hosted Confrontation with the Holocaust in a by Monmouth School. Four schools Global Context. Not a history of the competed in two rounds of intense Holocaust, but a consideration of how debate on the topic of ‘Nuclear Energy’. Germany has confronted the Holocaust, The Frankfurt Christmas Market - the Each team delivered extremely well- the ways in which this has happened, largest outdoor Christmas market in the planned and thought-out arguments, and how these broad themes relate to country - is at the centre of the city taking challenging questions from the other countries, contexts and dark pasts. during the festive season and has run for opposing teams as well as the audience. at least 12 years. The Market provides The quality of each answer was excellent The workshops gave students students with an insight into a German and a lot of work had clearly gone into opportunities to discuss and ask cultural tradition, whilst enjoying an the preparation. questions on topics such as German exciting experience. Traditional stalls soap operas, How to be a Modern We were delighted and so very proud of offer an array of beautiful handmade German and Germany in Europe. our A-Level students who faced toys, Christmas decorations, jewellery Students were able to trial quizzes and Monmouth School in the first round, and gifts as well as some entertainment. we were fortunate to win two prizes, making it to the final against HMSG German delights such as non-alcoholic including a cake mix for a special cake, where the topic of debate was set as the mulled wine (Glühwein), grilled Gugelhupf, which we enjoyed in a Sixth ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of sausages, and vegetarian options. Form lesson. Lecker! During the Renewable Energy’. Each team had ten Pretzels, gingerbread, crepes and afternoon session, current students from minutes to prepare a short speech, delicious marzipan sweets are also on Swansea University gave presentations including equally each member of the offer. team. With very little between each Miss Snook said “It was a pleasure to team, Alice Gable, Hebe Butcher and take such enthusiastic students to see the Chris Haroun gave an outstanding Market”. performance, and with logical progression and convincing arguments, they won overall. The MFL Faculty are very proud of the hard work and determination shown by our students. Alice, Hebe and Chris were supported by their peers in Year 13, (Charlotte Trumper and Katie Jones) and we have no doubt they will all do exceptionally well in their upcoming speaking exams. Miss Snook and the MFL Faculty

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well as Bangor and Swansea Universities. Jörg is an experienced teacher who interacted very well with students discussing his poetry in German and also his experiences of living in East Germany.

about their year studying abroad and what an excellent opportunity it had who is a lead in International Science been. and Mr Christopher Squires, Account Manager for Tata Steel. The feedback from students was very Both led workshops which involved positive as they had discovered some presentations, quizzes, scenarios and a new, exciting, authentic expressions and Initially he worked with Year 11 German Q & A session. also were asking lots of questions about students and asked them to read his university life. We hope to continue this poetry aloud and then discussed their The feedback from students was very as an annual event as it supports not thoughts and ideas. The comments were positive and here are some comments : only authentic learning but also raises impressive and gave our students “I never really thought about languages student aspirations. confidence to be more spontaneous in and sciences together before today.” their German. Thanks to all at the German Department “It made me realise that you don`t have to at Swansea University as students found Next, Y12 students Matthew Peters and be perfect in a language to use it.” Isabelle Sadler were presented with a it a valuable experience. “I really enjoyed the quiz as it made me signed copy of his book, partly set in think about working in a different country.” Wales entitled Weder Ebbe noch Flut after being successful in a Translation “Wow! I am really impressed that he Competition held by Swansea Univeristy. travelled in a helicopter with Angela Merkel!” After such a successful event we are interested in ensuring we make further curriculum links with the Science Faculty to see languages as a tool. Watch this space! We look forward to engaging in further projects.

Later in the afternoon Y13 students enjoyed discussing poetry and continued interviewing our guest about his experiences of living in Germany and his time spent in East Germany. We are grateful to this valuable experience given by Think German Jörg Bernig, Wales, Swansea University. German Poet STEM and In November we were delighted to Mini NATO welcome the writer Jörg Bernig to our Languages Event KS4 and KS5 German lessons, with The MFL team created an opportunity Event funding from the German Embassy as to work with STEM to focus on uptake Year 9 students from the MFL Faculty of languages in Y9 and beyond. were proud to join students from Approximately 95 Y9 students were involved Croesyceiliog and Caerleon Comprehensive in two workshops given by two speakers, schools, who came together at the Celtic who could connect their scientific Manor Resort to host a mini NATO careers with languages. Their focus was style summit. problem solving and to provide opportunities for students to engage by The event, funded by the EAS, aimed to asking questions about their careers. give students a deeper understanding of The speakers were Mr David Bacon, global issues and a clear understanding

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of modern foreign languages and global citizenship. Whilst completing their feedback form, they were asked to consider the words of Nelson Mandela: "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." of the importance of modern foreign NELSON MANDELA languages in the business world. On arrival, students were given prompt cards in the languages of NATO (French and English) and were asked to introduce themselves in order to find and worked together to create an action their country team members. Following plan of how best to encourage the learning of Modern Foreign Languages in our schools. The students discussed strategies and events to encourage their friends and peers to choose a language at Key Stage 4, including the making of displays, and helping the staff and Sixth Form run events on European Languages Day. Our students shone all day, they were the a keynote speech, students got to know first to put their hands up and share their each other during a NATO knowledge Following the conference, student ideas in front of lots of other schools, based quiz which was created by the Caitlin Morgan said “Going to the Celtic they came across as very confident and Education Team, made up of Manor was extraordinary. As well as enthusiastic – exactly what is looked for Croesyceiliog students. Following the meeting new people we learnt how in a PLA. quiz, students worked in teams of eight adults hold meetings and debate topics. We all had the experience of how it is to be a politician”. Snail Slime Pupil Language Lemonade and Ambassador Chocolate! Last year I was lucky enough to secure Training Day myself a place on the French trip. I was so excited as it was only my second time The MFL Faculty was delighted in going abroad. It was also a wonderful delegates to represent a NATO member February, when exceptional linguists, opportunity to improve my French. Just country. They shared ideas in order to Alice Barrell, Bethany Piper, Jamie Brine the travelling was an adventure – eight edit their prepared research, which the and William Rutherford were selected to and a half hours on a coach, starting at students brought along to the event on represent the school and train to become six in the morning, with a short break in themes such as global security, Pupil Language Ambassadors. the middle; onto the ferry for about an immigration, the environment and the The students attended an inspirational hour, back off the ferry (getting my first importance of learning modern foreign training day, fantastically organised by glimpse of France) then travelling for a languages. Ysgol Cwm Rhymni, where they had a further two hours. By the time we got During the conference, students spoke masterclass in The Introduction to there, we were exhausted! After dinner, other languages and, to conclude the German Culture by Alex Pickering from we clambered into bed for a well-needed day, were asked to carry on the work of the Goethe Institut. They learnt new night’s sleep. mini NATO by promoting the message vocabulary, German geography and business before completing a quiz to show off their new understanding. Mr Pickering was extremely impressed by the level of understanding of our four students, who had no prior knowledge of German before the session. During the afternoon, the students met with other PLA’s from different schools

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big as our hands! We had a chance to hold them and they were so slimy! After carefully and thankfully depositing the snails back in their home, we got to the best part, the tasting! There was everything from snail biscuits to snail The next morning we set straight off slime lemonade, which after breakfast – we knew it was going to tastes nicer than it sounds. be a packed day. First, we headed to the We finished off with a bakery where we were greeted with the slice of homemade bread bed, it dawned on us that tomorrow smell of freshly baked bread. We split and jam (not snail) and, after a quick trip was the last day. With an air of into two groups and my group headed to the shop, once again piled onto the disappointment, we slept. off to the baking room to learn how the coach for our last stop of the day. We woke up feeling refreshed and had a bread was made. It was all said in Our final stop of the day was……the hearty breakfast. Today was the day of French so it was a challenge for us to try CHOCOLATE our guided tour around the Chateau and FACTORY! We Rue. We found out some weird and went into a large wonderful things about the Chateau and room, to be hit with then we headed off to town. We visited the overwhelming the museum, a post office, a bakery and scent of chocolate. a supermarket. After stocking up on It was everywhere! sweets for the journey home, we were Boiling vats, setting herded back onto the coach for the long moulds and the trip back. We arrived in Monmouth late finished product. at night, to be greeted by our families. You could see the journey from bean I really enjoyed the French trip because to chocolate in this as well as socialising with my friends, it one relatively small was an opportunity to experience room. There was a another culture and improve my French. short demonstration I would definitely recommend this trip and translate. We were then given a on how to make chance to quickly mould some dough truffles and we were before being whisked off to the next allowed to try one; stage of our bakery experience. We were they were delicious. met by a man, who afterwards, became After this, we were known as ‘The Mad Baker’. He was herded into the quite intimidating and scary. I didn’t get small gift shop chosen, I just watched, as petrified which was, to say students (and teachers!) were put the least, a little through their paces under his watchful cramped. After eye. When this was finished, we just had buying our items and time to munch some freshly baked carefully extracating croissants, buy some other fresh goods ourselves from the and pile back on the coach. chaos, we headed Our next stop was a snail farm. We back to Le Chateau, our place of rest. to anyone and, given the chance to go again, I would be at the front of the watched a short video explaining the After a well-deserved rest, we headed out queue for a place! snails and how they were prepared in the early hours the following morning before we went on a tour. We saw snails to the place we had all been looking Bethany Piper, 8HT of all shapes and sizes, some nearly as forward to – Parc Asterix! There was an excited buzz on the bus and when we arrived, we were excited but a little apprehensive. After a quick talk about expectations, we were released. We all made sure that we went on every ride we could, in the limited time we had. After tearing around the park for six hours, we all trudged back onto the coach, weary after a long day. As we collapsed into

67 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Music at MCS

Folk Group consists of students Eliza Mayo, Bethany Piper Music For Youth and Cassie De St Croix. They will be travelling up to Birmingham on Thursday 7th July to perform at the CBSO Regional Festival Centre. Bethany describes her experience of the festival this On Friday 4th March, our talented musicians performed at year. Newport Centre in the annual Music For Youth competition. “On Friday the 4th March, we had the wonderful opportunity Students represented the school within a variety of groups: to take part in the regional round of the Music for Youth Monmouth Comprehensive School Orchestra, Monmouth Festival. Several school groups performed including school Comprehensive School Choir, Monmouth Comprehensive orchestra, choir, string group, percussion ensemble and folk School Percussion Ensemble, Monmouth Comprehensive group. We all performed really well, impressing the judges with School String Ensemble and a Monmouth Folk Group. our beautiful sounds. Around the country over 40,000 groups It was a fantastic day of music making and the students made performed and a select 400 got through to the next round themselves, and the school, proud performing a diverse which takes place in Birmingham. The Monmouth repertoire including Coldplay, James Bond, Mr Blue Sky and Comprehensive Folk Group managed to secure one of those more classical offerings. Within this experience, students get a 400 places to reach the final in Birmingham. We are really taste of the professional and wider world of music making and excited to have a chance to play to more people and go to this motivates and inspires them to cultivate ever greater Birmingham.” ambitions for the future. After receiving positive feedback across all groups, we recently Mayor’s Musical received the news that Folk Group are through to the National Final at Birmingham Symphony Hall! This is the first time Extravaganza since we have taken part in the festival that a school group has An article in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review reached the nationals, so all involved were very proud. The entitled ‘Young Musicians Impress’ summed up the evening

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Music Gradings

Initial Grade Keziah McCann Guitar - Trinity College Grade One Sam Uttley Guitar - Trinity College Heidi Walliman Double Bass performance. Students from MCS, HMSG and Monmouth School performed a Grade Two varied repertoire for a charity concert hosted by the Mayor of Monmouth and the standard from all involved was superb! The second half of the concert included Darcy Birkett Clarinet the Tredegar Town Band, one of the country’s leading brass bands. Ishchia Day Piano (Distinction) The first half concluded with performances from our students - Bronwen Davies, Cassie Grade Three De St Croix, Eliza Mayo, Bethany Piper, Isaac Chidwick Guitar - Harry Sully, Cameron Pardington, Trinity College Heidi Walliman, Harry Morgan, Rhys Walters, Freya Pierrepoint Harp Michael Slack and Jamie Brine. The line-up Grade Four included a stunning solo vocal performance from Bronwen (‘Monmouth’s Got Talent’ Eabha Strong-Wright Harp winner), some lively and charismatic folk Heidi Walliman Harp repertoire from Cassie, Eliza and Bethany and Taryn Birkett Flute a rousing finale from the percussion group. Charlotte Uttley Flute The audience were clearly impressed with the MCS students and many of the Emily Brown Flute students have been asked by members of the community to perform in other Katie John Clarinet concerts and venues as a result of the evening. The event at The Blake Theatre Aafke Sluiter Flute raised around £600 for the Mayor’s charity appeal on behalf of the Monmouth Alex Fielding Cello Youth Project, the Monmouth branch of the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Luke Rogers Saxophone Heart Foundation. (Distinction) ‘Only Boys Aloud’ Grade Five Arwen Van der Horst Cello On Friday 16th October we were joined by two of the captains of ‘Only Boys Mike Slack Drum Aloud’ to run a workshop with a group of boys from Years 8 - 13. (Distinction) Hayden Morris 8RT, who participated in the workshop, reflected “We watched a video clip about ‘Only Boys Aloud’ and I thought it was quite well run and Grade Six organised. They showed us where they went on tour and some of the members Georgina Parry Clarinet told us what it was like there. After that we did some warm-up games such Amber Snaith Cello as ‘don’t clap this one back’ and worked towards a performance of Yellow Mike Slack Drum Submarine with actions. I thought it was really nice that they came to show us Ishchia Day Violin (Merit) what it was like to be involved and how they got there and how to join. It’s nice to Anna Moore Violin know there is always someone there to support you with your singing.” Grade Seven If students are still interested in joining there is full information on their website. Rhian Carbury Flute Reuben Pierrepoint Cello Alice Barrell Viola (Distinction) Grade Eight Pippa Morgan Alto Saxophone (Distinction) Bethany Piper Violin (Merit) Oliver Chilcott Piano

69 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 A Musical Interlude

It all started when my Mum (Fiona Frank) entered a competition for composers. The prize for the winning piece was to have your work performed by one of the top orchestras in Italy; I Solisti Veneti. Out of 140 entries from 40 different countries, my Mum was chosen as one of the six finalists, which was very exciting!!

On the 5th of March we flew to Padova where the concert would be At the very end of the concert all the composers had a photo taken held on the 8th. We stayed in an Air B’n’B for the rest of the week. with the conductor - Mum is in red! Her piece is on youtube, at: We spent the first couple of days being tourists until the Monday, https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3TAruaRESto when Mum went to watch the rehearsal of her piece and advise the Afterwards we went for a meal (with all the composers) at a small conductor on how she wanted it played. restaurant. It was very nice - pizza which was actually vegan! The next day was the day of the concert - we were all so excited!! When I posted a short clip of Mum’s piece, the Steve Reich At 4pm we all went to see the second rehearsal . The rehearsal went Ensemble from London started following me! I thought this was on for about three hours so we didn't have much time between the quite amazing, considering that they were only following 23 people rehearsal and the concert (which was at 8.30pm), considering that at the time! we had to get dinner and get changed. We were supposed to arrive We were very lucky to have some of our friends from the Wye Valley half an hour before the concert started but in the end we got there with us and they brought their 16 year old grandson with them, only 15 minutes early, but it didn't matter because the orchestra which was good because that meant I had someone of a more started late. Mum's piece was the 4th entry to be played and was similar age to talk to. mostly played well although the orchestra played the 3rd movement When we were in Italy we went out for dinner a few times with much too fast but, fortunately, this added a bit of excitement and friends - we went to an all vegetarian restaurant and a completely Italian passion! The audience loved it! vegan cafe where there was loads of delicious food. Both times we At the end of her piece, Mum went onto the stage and shook hands went there I had a burger and potato. The dessert was amazing! The with the conductor, leader, second desk of first violins and the best I've ever had. double bass player. On the Friday I was very sad to miss the Eisteddfod because I would have loved to play violin and help my Form 8MD win (even though they did anyway). However, I did in fact have my own mini Eisteddfod on that day when I visited a small Steiner school where my new Italian friend goes. It was very small and sweet and all the children were lovely. I went on a tour and when we went into the pre-school area there was a toddler asleep! So adorable! After that I played the piano and sang for the children (the Eisteddfod part) but I was silenced in the middle of my song by a grumpy teacher who had a lesson to teach in the room I was in so I went outside with the children and had my photo taken with them. We visited a lot of churches in Padova and Venice - St Anthony in Padova was huge and elaborate. We saw the parts of St Anthony's body which he used to operate his voice, kept on show because they had praised God so many times. You could go to a part of the church that was so over-decorated that it was hard to spot the 'relics' (tongue, voice box, lower jaw & more) that were all so old but not decomposing! Weird! We also went to some nicer, less decorated churches that had a better vibe. One of them had the real mummified St Lucia in it! How amazing! On Friday we went to Venice and went on a synagogue tour (a good idea as we're studying Judaism in R.E) which was very interesting. The first synagogue we visited had a slowly collapsing floor so they had to move the reading section to the side!! My visit to Italy was the best cultural trip I've had - even better than Paris at half-term! I would like to thank Patricia Atkins Chiti for organising such a wonderful music competition, I Solisti Veneti for doing such a great job of performing the pieces and Michela Tami Mukunda for supplying such wonderful accommodation and also helpful guidance and delicious food! Thank you to Claudio Scimone for conducting the orchestra so skilfully and, most importantly, thank you to Mum for producing such a wonderful piece of music and hence giving us a reason to go to Italy! Ischia Day, 8MD

70 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Monmouth Women’s Festival Monmouth Women’s Festival was started 13 years ago in order to celebrate the achievements and passions of women and to tie in with International Women’s Day. Every year, the Festival welcomes artists, writers, musicians and prominent speakers from near and far and from many lines of work.

This year the Festival fell between the 4th-8th During the five days of events I dropped in at a variety of very of March and supported the Attik Youth Centre different activities. I first attended a mosaic making class at the alongside a campaign entitled ‘Smalls For All’ Shire Hall led by Rachel Shilston. As someone who struggles with (see the MWF website for details). Last being creative, I was slightly apprehensive about the event, but I September I was lucky enough to be invited to soon settled in and enjoyed learning about the various design options join the Committee of Volunteers who organise and huge range of materials that can be used to create a mosaic. the Festival. I was joined by a representative The following day I went along to a yoga workshop – something from HMSG who I worked with closely to that is definitely more within my comfort zone. The class provided represent the interests of young women. an insightful introduction to yoga and taught me a lot about the On joining the Committee, I was a little unsure of what the role importance of good posture. On the Monday, I joined fellow would actually involve. I was aware that I would attend monthly students at a talk at HMSG to learn about the 30% Club and to hear meetings but knew little of the extent of the task ahead. There were from their amazing researcher, Rachel Short. The 30% Club aims to speakers to contact and venues to book, not to mention get FTSE 100 companies to have 30% women on their boards. advertisements, refreshments, tickets and a raffle. However, the Rachel discussed her interesting research and highlighted the extremely efficient Committee worked like a well-oiled machine importance of women aspiring to have successful and lifelong with every member taking a portion of the jobs. I soon slotted in careers. I found the talk extremely inspiring and enjoyed meeting and enjoyed contributing to what became an amazing final product with Rachel after the event to hear more about her personal experiences. – a varied, accessible and exciting programme for all. The final event of my time at the Festival was a Financial Throughout my time as a Committee member I learnt a huge deal Management talk about financing university. My Mum definitely about what it means to work as part of a team, about my own benefited from the talk and it gave us a lot to think about as I organisational skills and about a great number of fantastic women. prepare to head to university this September. In general I loved all The Women’s Festival is a hugely significant and enjoyable annual the events I attended and learnt a great deal about a range of topics event and I would encourage everyone to attend in the coming years. and activities I had not previously considered. Grace Allan, 13FP

71 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Blood Brothers’ Review

Earlier this year, I went to see the musical play ‘Blood Brothers’ in the New Theatre, Cardiff. This was a trip arranged for English and Drama students. ‘Blood Brothers’ was written by Willy Russell in 1983 and set in Liverpool in the 1960s. Overall I thought this was a really stimulating and moving musical.

The play tells the story of twin brothers Mickey and Edward that their relationship was both strong and believable to the who are separated at birth. Edward is given to Mrs. Lyons, a audience. It was fascinating to see how Edward changed from a wealthy woman who can't have children, and Mickey is kept to lonely young boy into a man with the help of the more streetwise live a harder life with his siblings and strong, yet poor, birth Mickey and their mutual friend, Linda. Throughout the play, mum, Mrs. Johnston. The narrator brings a mysterious “So, did you hear the story of the Johnston twins? As and dark atmosphere to the play, suggesting to the audience like each other as two new pins. Of one womb born on the that this situation can only go self-same day, how one was kept and one given away?” wrong. The boys meet and have a strong connection quickly becoming ‘Blood Brothers’ but Edward connects to Mickey more and more, starting to behave when they find out they are actually twins, will their lives like him. The actors used body language and physical contact to become twice as nice or will it be double trouble? show the audience how comfortable they are with each other. In The main actors in this thrilling musical are West End star and this production I felt a good energy coming from them and they multi-platinum selling artist Marti Pellow, who plays the role of managed to convincingly portray an amazing transformation the narrator, and Maureen Nolan, one of the famous singing from seven years old until adulthood. This is the part that sisters, who plays the tragic role of Mrs. Johnston. I believe that surprised me most as the actors made you believe in their child the bond between the twins was portrayed very well and I think like innocence. I felt as though the audience could understand the age change well. The actors spoke with a great passion, especially the narrator. Pellow used his voice to create a foreboding atmosphere and Nolan used hers to show how heartbroken she was to give her son away. The character Linda was a positive person for the twins to be around and she brought romance and tension to the plot. For me, the play was really enhanced by the excellent lighting and scenery. The costumes worn by the actors made me feel I was really in the 1960s. I particularly liked the contrast of clothing as worn by Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Lyons, which clearly showed the difference in their wealth and this was shown by their children as well. The sound effects were particularly dramatic and there was one pivotal moment at the end of the story which made the audience jump out of their seats. Personally, I think the fact that this was a musical made the play even better because it added mood and atmosphere to the story; I especially liked the songs ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘Tell Me It's Not True’ as they helped to explain the story well. Without giving too much of the plot away, I felt very moved by its intense and emotional conclusion. The fact that I am still thinking about the play shows how well it was acted. I have spoken to other students who went to the theatre as well. One said, “It was the best play I've seen”. Another said “The relationship between the brothers was brilliantly acted and believable”. All in all I would strongly recommend ‘Blood Brothers’ to anyone who enjoys the theatre and who wants to experience a MONNOW CYCLES heart-warming performance about love and loss. Bicycle Service & Repairs This story will get into your blood and stay there! Katie Kilbourne, 11HF

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The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Charity Matters It has been another incredibly successful year for the Charity Committee!! Arriving back at school fresh from our holidays and encouraged by our first total, we decided to hold a Macmillan Coffee Morning, joining the national campaign. We set up the Meeting Room with drinks and goods and, as usual, the homemade cakes and biscuits did not last long! The amazing £253.44 raised will help to fund vital services for individuals and their families diagnosed with cancer.

November brought our annual a box of gifts as part of Operation Christmas Harvest collection, definitely my Child, sending the donations to children across favourite time of the charity the world. The Committee also had a stall at calendar! Our campaign for the school Christmas Fair, selling a variety of non-perishable food donations handmade goods including ‘make your own had a huge response and we hot chocolate’ jars. On the last day of term we were able to present Monmouth arranged a Christmas Jumper Non-Uniform

“An asset to the school, with a heart for this task” Monmouth Food Bank

Food Bank with over 250kg of contribution. The charity had only Day adding £613.60 to our festive fundraising pot for Llamau. been running 18 months and building our relationships with the This charity works with the homeless young people of Wales community, along with supporting families locally was fantastic. providing accommodation, support and advice, especially In a letter we received, the team were thanked for their hard crucial in the cold winter months. work in piloting the It was considered by the team that the task, even delivering next fundraiser would be for a cause the food in several car close to individuals in our school loads. community and Epilepsy Action was The Committee meet chosen. Epilepsy Action is the UK’s together every Monday leading epilepsy organisation and exists break-time to discuss to improve the lives of and support those approaching events affected by the condition. Another disco and now energy was was held in December with an amazing turnout from Y7 and Y8 high for our first big students, raising £732.31. event of the year - Children in Need. The non-school uniform At one of our weekly meetings we were visited by a former theme was superheroes and a bake sale was located in the hall. student of the school, Tegan, before her inspiring trip to The enthusiasm was shared by staff and students alike with Cambodia. Our continued efforts providing refreshments at individual and group fundraisers including Jay Hardy shaving Parents’ Evenings raised £100 which we decided to give to his head! I think the highlight of the day for most was Tegan to help her in the work she did with the vulnerable Mr Price and his Welsh Baccalaureate Spanish class with their women and families she met through her volunteering scheme. rendition of La Bamba, performed on the stage at break time; Further money was raised offering refreshments at the later all for a great cause! The Parents’ Evenings and Next Step meetings. Mr Stubbs went to day raised an incredible Uganda to educate on the dangers of HIV and Aids with the use total of over £1,500 for of sport. This extra sum of money was taken to Uganda by disadvantaged children in Mr Stubbs and used to buy equipment for the schools he visited. the UK and across Africa. 2016 started with the annual Valentine Day deliveries. This year Christmas festivities began we took orders for sweetie cones, bags and boxes as well as with the invitation for roses and lollipops! Spreading the love in February meant £150 students to put together was raised for the British Heart Foundation.

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Another enjoyable occasion is Sport Relief and this year did not The ‘blue and under the sea’ theme was very popular and it was disappoint! The non-uniform theme was everything sports and an incredible end to the fundraising this academic year. our famous bake sale was once again held in the hall, this time I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Charity Committee and joined by GCSE caterers with an array of savoury and sweet can’t believe the amounts we have raised for such a huge variety delights. After only a couple of charities. There have been some incredible highlights in the last of rehearsals, members of few years and I will even miss rushing to the shops for refreshment the Committee, supported supplies and the hours spent counting and bagging money! by some WONDERFUL teachers, took to the stage to As a student-led Committee, the members are central to the start a flash mob dance work that we do. I want to thank them all for their hard work throughout the hall. I will this year. I would also like to thank everyone else who helped us never forget the surreal to achieve so much. We couldn’t do it without the support of moment as Shakira ‘Waka the teachers and enthusiasm from students and their families. Waka!!’ played and the hall became alive with excitement - or Although I am desperately sad to say goodbye to the Charity was that bewilderment! Again- all for a good cause! For the first Committee, I wish everyone the best of luck in future time, charity donations were able to be made conveniently by fundraising endeavours. If you would like to join this passionate Parentpay which was a huge success and close to £1500 was team and get involved, we meet every Monday break time in raised. Room 70. Charlie Rennie, 13FP Our final fundraiser was for the Marine Conservation Society. Some of our students have had the privilege of completing their work experience with this charity, learning more about the importance of marine wildlife and habitats around Wales. As a charity that works locally on Welsh shorelines, it is an area of interest for our Committee.

75 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Design & Technology Work

Tamer Pullen

Alex Humber

Harry Sully Tom Mapp

Tom Mapp

Zoe McIntosh

Will Clulee Will Rose Steer

Ffion Young Harry Sully Will Clulee Callum Roberts

Oliver Trumper Henry Turley Harry Dorey-Jones

76 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 BBC School Report - 2016 Deadline Dilemma

Apocalypse! Also, I was lucky enough to be reporting on one of the many zombie outbreaks in Austria. Everyone was working as hard as they could, and we didn’t waste a single minute in with sunshine and rainbows; we were trying to upload our report before the forced to battle with the lunchtime deadline. hustle and bustle, having to learn lines On 10th March 2016, BBC School Although everybody was trying hard to at the very last minute, and a huge Report Day took place in schools all be positive, the whole day was not filled costume-changing rush. We even over the country. In our Forms, we accidently lost some of the footage! But combined creativity, teamwork, and together, as a Form and as a team, we unique ideas to create our very own got through the obstacles that lay in news reports. front of us and seized the challenge. Our Form worked together to write, Overall, our Form had a blast whilst film, and edit our masterpiece. Our also learning from our mistakes. I’m report covered many different subjects, sure that next year’s Year Seven will ranging from a horrific scandal in the have a fantastic time, just like we did! school canteen, to a petrifying Zombie Elizabeth Lane, 7AP

77 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 MCS Alumni When we think back to our time at school, many images come to mind. For me, remembering the smell of the art room, sweltering summer Sports Days and thinking back to my most inspiring teachers are the memories that cause the biggest waves of nostalgia. But have you ever considered going back to both visit and support your old school?

As an Alumni Officer for education charity Future First, I am working with Monmouth Comprehensive School to build a network of former students. The programme has two main aims: firstly, though many students have left MCS, they never stop being a part of the school. We want to continue that sense of community, even after students have moved on to the world of higher education and work, and make MCS somewhere alumni can always come back to. Students from the school also take an amazingly diverse range of pathways and we want to share these with current students! Our second aim is to ask our former students to talk about their experiences gained since leaving MCS and lend their support to • Give advice and guidance at Careers and Pathways the school. Assemblies Asking alumni to lend a helping hand is something that private • Help us inspire and enthuse students with your experiences schools have always done well historically, but that secondary • Be a part of our alumni gallery schools have always struggled with. That’s not to say that alumni • Mentor students aren’t willing; in fact research shows that state school and • Support with Work Experience private school students are just as likely to want to get involved, The possibilities are truly endless! it’s just that private school alumni are more likely to be asked. The school is also going through some big changes this year Whatever your path from school, everyone has valuable talents, with an exciting new build. We want former students to be part skills and advice to share with current students. Alumni already of the transformation and, in the coming weeks, will be inviting signed up to the school’s alumni network range from university the alumni network to visit the school, hear about the new build students, to professionals in a wide range of jobs. We already and meet with both alumni and teachers. It will be a lovely have a Criminal Investigator, a Firefighter, a Radiographer and opportunity to visit us and we’ll be letting everyone know more an Actor signed up, to name just a few. details soon. Over the past year we’ve brought former students to share their If you are a former student, then we want you to get involved! stories in all sorts of ways and it has been an incredibly Signing up only takes five minutes: just follow the link below rewarding experience. At a recent Careers event, former and fill in a few details about what you’re doing now and how students Perry Hannaby and Roddy Thompson (now working you’d like to help: https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/former- as a Recruitment Consultant and Chief Operating Officer for student/monmouth. BT Openreach respectively) both shared their journey careers advice with students. Their support was invaluable and students Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you updates throughout the really valued listening to advice, not just from professionals, but year with our latest news and let you know about upcoming from people who had once sat in the same seats. opportunities to get involved. We hope to continue to build the confidence of current students If you have a unique opportunity to share, or just have a by introducing them to relatable alumni role models at all sorts question you’d like to ask, then you can get in touch with me on of upcoming events. In particular, we are looking for former [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you! students to: Kat Leadbetter

78 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Learning with Friends

The MCS Friends workshops are free, Association provides a funded by the monies valuable link between raised by all who have home and school. Its work signed up to support actively contributes to the Monmouth Comprehensive life of every student, not Friends Association at only by raising funds but www.easyfundraising.org.uk. also by harnessing Further workshops are members’ enthusiasm, skills being planned to help us and experience for the good cope with the challenges of of all. It aims to support parenting teenagers! parents and encourage a sense of community. Rugby Kit and Once again many parents Waitrose Green have supported the Friends during the year. A growing Tokens now been trained and are using team has helped to organise a range of WriteOnline in mainstream lessons - for Thank you to Waitrose's Community activities; many others have taken on students with specific learning Matters scheme and all who posted their admin roles they can do from home and difficulties (eg. dyslexia), the accuracy tokens. The Friends were awarded £398, helped out at events run during the year. and coherency of writing is much some of which has been donated to help improved. WriteOnline is also being purchase new PE kit, and the balance First Aid Courses piloted by a range of teachers in a will be put towards the fund for The FA has long aimed to establish number of Faculties. Using this package purchases for the new school. regular First Aid courses for students seems to be increasing the level of and their families. Through Heartstart motivation to complete written tasks and And also..... Monmouthshire, we are running the depth and detail in writing has A representative from the Friends sessions every term. Since we started, improved. travelled with the School Council to over 90 students and parents have Aberdare Community School to received training including 35 from the Summer Draw experience a new school in the 21st school's rowing club, earlier in the year. This year's annual raffle has taken place century. It made the prospect of a new This British Heart Foundation initiative during the summer term and will school for the students of Monmouth aims to teach Emergency Life Support continue to support the initiative to drive Comprehensive very real and exciting. Skills to as many people as possible. up literacy standards, as well as starting We have also enjoyed supporting the Courses are free and available to anyone a fund to purchase items which will be Charity Committee’s bake sales aged 10 years and over. One parent has outside the scope of the existing budget throughout the year, providing amazing now trained to be an instructor and we’d for the new school. cakes for the Summer Showcase and love to have more on board. serving refreshments to parents at the Easyfundraising and Governors’ Annual Report to Parents . Second Hand Uniform The Friends Association provides an We are pleased to be able to offer parents Easysearch informal, friendly but very direct way for the opportunity to buy good-quality With just 107 parents signed up to these parents and friends to support our second-hand uniform. This is extremely shopping and browsing portals, over school. Meetings are held once every popular and we struggle to keep up with £1,300 has been raised for the Friends. half-term. Everyone is made welcome demand! We welcome all contributions It costs you nothing so if you haven't and business never takes that long! If you of uniform, which can be dropped off at done so, please go on line and sign up. can’t attend meetings, there are many the school reception. other ways to support the Friends - look Parent Workshops out for our Newsletters and emails, visit Software to help In previous years nearly 100 parents the school’s website, or chat to develop literacy skills have attended free weekend Parent representatives at school events. Workshops which have aimed to help All parents, guardians, teaching staff, The Friends were asked by the school to parents with communication skills and non-teaching staff and governors are help with the purchase of WriteOnline supporting their children's learning. We automatically members of the Friends software to support the development of have also been able to offer free childcare Association. Please consider getting students' literacy skills. The proceeds of to support parents wishing to attend involved, in whatever way you can. It last year's raffle were used for this (thank you, staff from Puddleducks in really will make a difference. We look purpose. All Teaching Assistants have Raglan, for your fantastic support). The forward to welcoming you and your ideas.

79 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Out of School Achievements Here we have the latest updates on out of school activities. Needless to say, parents are bursting with pride as they send their emails to Mrs Baker, filling us in on activities we don’t always get to hear of in school. Please continue to send them in throughout the year.

May 2015 saw the Monmouthshire Branch At the end of the Summer 2015 term, Both James Hopgood and Joe Curtis of 8TR, of The Pony Club win the Virbac 3D Alex Hughes (9KO) cycled for the school were successful in passing their 2nd Star Worming Prince Philip Cup after five nail in the BSCA, Welsh Schools Circuit Tae-Kwon-Do Black belt grading exam, biting days of competition at the Horse of Championship, taking 5th place. In August involving techniques, patterns, sparring the Year Show (HOYS). 2015, he competed in the Welsh Open and Korean language and history. The The Monmouthshire team, including MCS Criterium Youth Race in Abergavenny and exam took place in Cardiff in October and students Ben Hopkins (9CK), Erin Beach followed this up the next day by riding the means that they are now half-way through (10LD) and Emma Lockyer (9CK), were first 50 mile Monmouthshire Sportive in a very the four year syllabus to achieving their timers to the HOYS and finished on 118 creditable 3 hours and 35 minutes. 2nd Dan Black Belts. points to clinch victory, just one point Seventeen year-old Rory Bennett (13KW) In November 2015, Florence Mayo played ahead of runners-up Romney Marsh. passed his JAA private pilots license (PPL) in the MFY Schools Prom at the Royal The final at the HOYS captivated the exam last term having learned to fly with Albert Hall. She plays double bass with crowds, with the teams giving it their all to the Cotswold Aero Club in Staverton. He is Gwent Music Youth Winds, led by Mr Sean thrill spectators with some very close now qualified to fly with passengers in O'Neil. Their performance of ‘Silver Screen’ finishes. most small aircraft, even abroad, and hire was, according to the presenter, aircraft to fly in other European countries “ridiculously good, sounding like a BBC Summer 2015 was an exceptional time too. Rory hopes to go on to train for his concert band!” for Ben. In July he won the U14 World commercial licence and a career as a pilot. Individual Championships, he then In April, Florence was part of the school 17 is the earliest age at which you can pass travelled to France to compete for Wales in EESW (Engineering Education Wales the PPL. As well as the flying tests which the U14 Welsh team where they took the Team), working with General Dynamics UK included solo cross country routes he had gold medal over England. He also and supported by Mr Colin Brown to pass nine written aviation exams covering competed in the individual championship presented at the Big Bang Engineering topics including Air Law, Aerodynamics, and won a gold medal there too. event at Swansea University's new Meteorology and Navigation etc. A full Engineering Department. The team had a The summer was then topped off by article from Rory may be found on page 15. great time, seeing The Bloodhound, the winning the British Championships, Ben is Taryn Birkett (9AL), Darcy Birkett (9NJ) & world's fastest land vehicle, up close. See now the reigning British, European and Chloe Evans (9LG) have all achieved success page 16 for a full article. World Champion 2015. gaining Merit/Distinctions in the following Florence has applied for engineering James Whittaker (12TY) took part in the Higher Grade & Vocational ballet exams; apprenticeships. The competition was Cardiff Velothon in June 2015, raising over RAD Grade 6 Ballet and RAD Intermediate fierce but after loads of assessment centres £400 for The Alzheimer’s Society. James Foundation (Vocational Exam) with A1 and interview days she has secured an offer completed the 140 km route. Dance Academy. of an electronic/electrical engineering British Youth Championships, July 2015 - Oliver Riba Fooke s (7AP) is part of the apprenticeship from the Science and the swim season finale saw the top 24 Welsh National Choir - ‘Only Kids Aloud’, Technology Facilities Council at the British swimmers in each stroke, distance based at Wales Millennium Centre, managed Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford. and age go head to head in prelims to by inspiring musician Tim Rhys Evans. In The centre supports research in industry finals, the winner is the British Champion in November 2015, Oliver appeared in three and universities into particle physics, space each class. Y11 student Erin Bryce was pretty amazing things at WMC! The sciences, lasers and works with the Hadron invited to attend the event in Sheffield as a Cbeebies pantomime - Alice in Wonderland Collider team. Florence may get the chance qualifier to compete in three events: - was on Cbbc over Christmas, Bryn Terfyl’s to do a placement at CERN. Well done 200m, 100m & 50m backstroke. Against 50th birthday opera performance of Tosca Florence and thank you to Mr Sinkowski Britain's best 16 year old girls, Erin reached in which Oli sang in the Choir, and the 5th and Mr Brown for their support. all three finals (top 10), where she Anniversary of the choir ‘Only Boys Aloud’ Eli Gethin (7AR) has been selected for ultimately obtained the very creditable which was screened on Christmas Day on Wales Girls Cricket U12 Squad for the 2016 positions of 4th place, 5th place and 7th S4C! This year he’s going to be part of the season. Eli was part of the Wales squad place respectively. Roald Dahl anniversary celebrations. that beat Worcestershire Girls by nine wickets.

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Tom Berry (9HA) received his certificate for Georgea is also studying British Sign Alec Parker (11JO) has passed his yacht advancing to 1st Class Cadet in the Air Language at the University of the West of Competent Crew Certificate whilst sailing Cadets with Usk Squadron. England. She achieved her Level 1 and has with the Rona Sailing Project, usually The Dragon Award - Ruth Leslie (10BI) is a now started her Level 2 course which she completed on gold DofE expeditions. The member of the Explorers. Explorer Units are does in Bristol on a Monday evening for Rona Sailing Project is one of the oldest Sail the fourth Section of the Scouting family three hours. She is very committed and Training organisations in the UK. Alec also after Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Explorer works really hard. had the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Scouts are young people aged between 14 Luke Rogers (10BI) has done extremely well Jones, inspect his volunteering in Usk, and 18 years old. Over a year ago Ruth musically this year - he passed his Grade 4 where Alec painted the plough in the (10BI) began to work towards the Bronze jazz syllabus saxophone and Grade 5 music centre as part of the entry for Britain in Dragon Award. This is an award that was theory, both with distinction. Luke has also Bloom. started by ScoutWales. It involves sleeping achieved merit at Grade 6 piano and has Bethany Piper (8HT) passed her Grade 8 under canvas at least one night in each joined the Chepstow Community Big Band. violin exam with a merit. She was 12 years month of the year. Ruth completed the Luke was also selected for the Welsh old when she took the exam, which is very challenge in July without missing a single Youth Sprint Cycling Academy through the young to gain such a high grade – her month and was awarded the Bronze Pedal2Power Talent Identification Programme. violin teacher, Mr Nick Steel, was Dragon Award. She is now almost half-way Michael Failey (10AL) receiving his Chief immensely proud of her!! towards the Silver award. Scout Gold Award, presented to him by Millie Thomson (8AH) and her family have Between 26 July and 4 August 2015, Ruth the Police and Crime Commissioner for been visiting a residential home in the joined 4000 scouts from around the Gloucestershire in Cheltenham. Michael Forest of Dean with their Labrador Johnny. world at the 12th Scout Jamborette in only joined Scouts a year earlier so worked Johnny is a PAT dog, which means pets as Spaarnwoude, Haarlem, Holland. hard to complete the award in a shorter therapy. Once a month Millie and her CRUFTS 2016 - Young Kennel Club Agility time than usual. He took up Mountain family chat to older people while they have Dog of the Year - Ruth competes in dog Biking as part of the fitness challenge and a cuddle with Johnny. Many of the agility with her Jack Russell, Daisy. Each enjoyed it so much that he has joined a residents are nearing 100 years old and year there are several qualifying heats at local club and now goes every week. one of the residents recently shared their agility shows across the country where Dylan Hughes (8HT) competed in the 100 year telegraph from the Queen. Millie hundreds of children compete for a place European Down Syndrome open loves going because “it makes their day, at the semi-finals and finals which take swimming competition on 16th and 17th gives them company” and it makes her feel place at Crufts dog show in March 2016. April in Southampton. There were “I've made a difference”. Mum and Dad are very proud of Millie and lovely Labrador Ruth and Daisy qualified for the semi-finals swimmers from England, Scotland, Ireland, Johnny. which were held at Crufts, NEC, Estonia, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and even Birmingham 2016 where they competed in one swimmer from Australia. Dylan was Jack Watkins (8AH) has been committed to the Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the the only swimmer representing Wales. improving his goal keeping skills, travelling Year competition. Although they didn’t win It was a great weekend with a lively and weekly to Gloucester for coaching and they both enjoyed the day. It was a competitive atmosphere. Dylan took part endless time in the garden “banging” the positive experience which resulted from all in five events and brought home two silver ball against the wall, practising his drills. the hard work Ruth has put into learning medals, one bronze and a rosette each for Jack has been invited to train with the West about dog agility and training Daisy. fourth and fifth. He achieved personal best Brom Development Centre and played his first match for the team - Mum and Dad Ruth is a member of the Wye Valley Dog times for all five races. are very proud of the belief, commitment Training Club and she and Daisy train every Meggie Jarrold (11DD) was selected to and dedication Jack has shown. week. They continue to do well at dog represent Gwent Young Farmers at the agility, regularly competing against adult Royal Welsh Show in July in Pony Stock Year 8 students Alice Gandy, Holly Duncan, competitors. Ruth and Daisy won their Judging where she won 2nd place. The Tiana Smith, Holly Gwyther, Lauren Moore, class at the show which was held on Gwent Young Farmers team went on to Serena Natt, Cerys Hughes, Hope Woods and Vauxhall Fields, Monmouth. win 1st place in the Best Overall Stock Amber Gwyther play netball with the school team and are doing very well - they are also Georgea Firstbrook (10LD) achieved black Judging team. part of Monmouth Ladies belt level in Shotokai Karate. She has been Alice Barrell (8MD) passed her Grade 7 practising/involved in martial arts from a viola exam with a distinction in December. Ruby Payne (9AL) plays the guitar and very young age as her mum, dad, brother Mum and Dad are very proud of Alice. performed the tune Apache, by The Shadows, at a surprise birthday party held and sister all have their black belt in the Mike Slack (10LE) achieved Grade 5 Drum for her tutor, Ray Martinez, at Bridges same style. Her nan runs her own Shotokai Exam with Distinction in May 2015 and Community Centre. organisation and is a master in the style - a achieved a Merit in his Grade 6 Drum Exam 5th Dan black belt. Mum and dad are very in March 2016. proud of Georgea’s dedication.

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Millie Elsmore (9LD) only started learning She was also selected to represent country!!! Proud parent moment! They the guitar in September 2014. In May Gloucestershire in Sportshall competition won the series which was great. Rory is 2015, at a barbeque gathering with people and was SW England champion in Javelin now waiting to see if he'll be selected again she did not know, she played and sang and High Stepper. to play against Scotland in June. three songs to about 20 people. At the At the beginning of 2016, Tillie took part Oliver Chilcott (9VE) passed his piano 'Transport Festival' at the GWR railway in the SW England indoor Championships Grade 8 at Christmas. He continues to play museum in Coleford at Easter 2015, she in Cardiff and gained a bronze medal in violin for Greater Gwent Youth Orchestra played and sang to the visitors at the Shot and her first UK ranking of 2016. and Greater Gwent Schools Orchestra museum. Mum and dad are extremely Tillie is currently (April ) ranked sixth in the Ollie was awarded ‘Most Improved Water proud of her achievements. She has saved UK and 1st in South West England in Polo Player of the Year’ at the Hereford up and bought herself an electric guitar, Javelin. Swim Club Awards night. He continues to small amplifier and a microphone and Max O'Hagan (11LM) spent his work play in the Midlands League for Worcester stand. She has signed up for singing experience at Thruxton, learning how to U16's and has been made club captain for lessons at school, and wishes to continue drive very fast, with racing driver and the coming season. Best of all, he has and take exams in the guitar. Her TV Presenter Tiff Needell. been selected for the Wales Water Polo confidence as a person has increased Youth Squad and attends weekend training greatly with this new skill. Watch this William Thompson (11RP) regularly in Cardiff and Swansea. space Simon Cowell!! competes in National Downhill Biking competitions. Joseph Scott (8RT) has achieved his Chief Erin Beach (10LD) is enjoying another Scout Gold Award. He was awarded the successful year representing Monmouth Ischia Day (8MD), sang and performed at badge and certificate on February 14th. Pony Club, Monmouthshire Mounted Games the old peoples' Christmas lunch at Joseph has also achieved his Silver Dragon Association and Wales in her sport of pony Brockweir. She sang some of her favourite Badge... this has involved camping once a mounted games. songs and played her violin beautifully. Her contributions to a charity concert (also in month for two years... 24 months, come Last summer she was the youngest finalist Brockweir) in December, to raise money in rain come shine. in the Under 14s category of the World support of a charity for the homeless in Jacob King (8MD) played Fat Sam in Individuals competition finishing a very Bristol were also appreciated. Ischia also Monmouth Music Theatre Youth Section's creditable 6th overall. gained her Grade 6 violin with a merit in production of Bugsy Malone in October The Monmouth Pony Club team also won the summer and her Grade 2 piano with a 2015. He was also Pharaoh in their the Championship at the Royal Welsh Show. distinction. production of Joseph & The Amazing During the summer Erin travelled to Cluny Forestt Blackburn (10BI) loves archery! Technicolor Dreamcoat in April. in the South of France to represent Wales Forestt is a member of The Bowmen of the Sam King (10NJ) was promoted to Lance in the European Championships. Dean Archery Club and won one of his Corporal in Monmouth Detachment of the Erin works incredibly hard with her ponies, events, receiving his trophy from the Gwent & Powys Army Cadets in December Syd and Izzy, and does everything herself Deputy Mayor of Coleford. 2015. Sam was also chosen to represent for their care and maintenance including Forestt goes to the club on Tuesday and Gwent and Powys in a nationwide field spending early mornings mucking out Thursday evenings and also on a Sunday craft competition. before school and exercising ponies afternoon outdoors, weather permitting, Daniel Nuttall (7LP) took part in the Sport throughout the winter. at the Club’s field. In January, he received Relief Golf Challenge. Tillie Westwood (7PH) competes for the a medal for the most improved archer of Christopher Davies (10BA) was involved in Forest of Dean Athletic Club and last year 2015. Forestt has been doing this for two Monmouth's local amateur drama group, she became Gloucestershire County years now and he has won many awards Off Centre Theatre, and their production of Champion in Javelin, Discus and Hammer and trophies. Participating in this sport has ‘Plaza Suite’. Christopher was asked by the and was bronze medallist in Shot. This led really boosted his confidence and he group to stand in two days before the first to her being selected to represent sometimes takes charge on a Sunday performance as one of the actors pulled Gloucestershire in the SW England inter- shooting session. out at the last minute; he agreed to do so. counties track and field Championships in Rory Calderwood (10AL) plays hockey for Following the success of the production, Exeter. Tillie performed well in both Javelin Ross Men's Hockey Club and was awarded Off Centre entered the act into the (25.54m) and Discus (18.94m) and Player of the Year for the 2014/15 season Preliminary Round of the All England finished a creditable 4th in both, despite for his consistent efforts throughout the Theatre Festival at Hereford on 10th March being a full year younger than the other year and he scored seven goals for them. where they won Best Production with competitors. She was also part of the Rory was selected to play hockey for Wales Christopher receiving a nomination for 4x100m County Champion team and the in the U16 squad which meant he spent best Novice Performer. As winners of the 4x200m silver medallists. She is U13 UK five days over Easter playing against round, the production was then put ranked 2015: 50th in Javelin, 99th in Switzerland and scoring twice for his forward to compete in the Quarter Finals Discus and 574th in Shot.

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held at Swan Theatre, Worcester on Regionals Cross Country Finals at opponent was on his sixth bout. Callum Saturday 9th April, where they took Birmingham in March and the Welsh was told by the ring master that if he 2nd place and are to perform in the Semi- equivalent at Brecon in February. carries on with his training then he would Finals of this National Competition at the India Marshall (11HF) has been dedicated expect to see him fighting for a title in the Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke-on-Trent on to trampolining since she was seven. She future. Callum was also nominated by the 7th May. has been in the Welsh Squad since she was judges as best junior boxer of the evening. Between these events, he also helped as a 14 and is the current U18 ladies Welsh A sunny April day saw Year 8 students member of the backstage crew at Champion following on from being the UK Lewis Richards, Jonathan Pearce, Xavier Monmouth Music Theatre's recent successful U16 Champion. India is a member of Turner, Morgan Waineright, John Dunckley, production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Freefallers Trampoline Club alongside the Ben Williams, Jamie Strackan and Oliver Maegan (9PY) and Brodie Templeton (7SS) Welsh Squad and has represented Wales at Williams complete the ‘South Wales 3 took part in the Stagecoach Regional event international events in Portugal, Austria, Peaks Challenge’ which meant they walked at St David’s Hall Cardiff on the 10th of and the Czech Republic resulting in gaining The Blorenge (1,841 feet) The Sugerloaf April 2016 in a performance of Guys and her Welsh feathers. We wish her well in (1,955 feet) & The Skirrid (1,594) all in one Dolls. Guys and Dolls is a musical that has future events including trialling for the day (6hrs to be precise). They undertook brought character and fun to the students Commonwealth team later this year. this challenge to raise funds for Monmouth who have had a great time rehearsing it Anna Moore (10NI) passed Grade 6 Violin in Rugby U13s tours next season. alongside their Performance Awards Exam July 2015 and Grade 5 Music Theory in Alex Hughes (9KO), Joseph Scott (8RT) and work this term. The group are made up of March 2016. Adam Arnett (9KO) received their Chief students from Stage 2 and 3 who have Ben Davies (9AF) represented Wales U13s Scout Gold Awards in May. This was the enjoyed putting the material together as a last year, his third year in a row culmination of two years hard work and group. representing his country. He played in every good fun, helping in the community, Maegan has achieved Grade 6 in game and was the third highest wicket learning new skills and camping out in all Drama/Dance and Singing and Brodie has taker in his age group. He also played for weathers. achieved Grade 4 in Drama/Dance and Gwent, representing them for the fourth May 2016 - Ponyclubbers Ben Hopkins Singing. Stage Coach Monmouth was year in a row. Although he was just 13, (9CK) and Emma Lockyer (9CK) took part in established in 2000 and actress and drama Ben played a full season representing the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations at teacher Louise Albert took over the school Monmouth Cricket Club’s first team. He Windsor Castle and represented Wales in in 2005. The school has a close knit group was the club’s leading wicket taker, with the Home International Competition. of students who know how to work hard 36 wickets through the season. This also Awards were given out by Prince Philip, and have fun on Sunday morning! made him the second most successful Patron of the competition. Wales finished Maegan also took part in the MCSBC bowler throughout the whole League. second - pipped at the post in the last race! Monmouth Half Marathon 2016 on During this campaign he took his first ever Saturday 5th March which she completed, senior hat-trick and was presented with Missing from The Leader 2015 helping to raise funds for the Boat Club. the game ball. Ben also represented Alex Hughes, Adam Arnett and James Arnett Monmouth at both U13 and U15 age (Y8) all took part in the Schools Madeleine Osborn (7RE), has competed in groups. Warhammer League representing Usk the first two rounds of the Welsh Scouts and beat their opposition - a scratch Mountain Bike Cross Country competition, Ben has been selected for this year’s team put together by the manager of the placing first in both rounds (U12). The County Squad and has just had Cwmbran Games Workshop - to progress competitions took place in Pembrey, confirmation of selection for Wales U14s. to the regional finals which will be in Llanelli and The Royal Showgrounds in Owen Maddox (8FD) took part in a kayaking Nottingham between the 24th and 27th Builth Wells with further rounds, including competition in Nottingham and came March 2015. the Welsh Championships, to come in May sixth. Owen also took part in Welsh Open and July. Freestyle competition at Cardiff White Last year, Alex completed a season in the Welsh Cyclocross League making the step Cameron Ogilvie (8KO), Josh Lewis (9AF), Water Centre, coming second out of 16 up to the Under 14 category and came a Ben Pilot (9TR), Flynn Ruddiforth (9HA) and entrants! He has been kayaking for around very respectable 11th. He also competed in James Aston (9TR) were selected to play for six years and is now a frequent visitor at the Welsh Cyclocross Championships, also Herefordshire County U14 Rugby squad. the White Water Centre in Cardiff Bay. finishing 11th. The last race of the league They played games against South Callum Lanfear (9VE) had his first boxing season took place on a very boggy course Warwickshire, The Black Country, bout at a boxing dinner show in April. on Caerphilly Mountain. Alex completed Worcester and West Midlands. Callum’s first fight took place in front of another season in the Welsh Cyclocross Lee Selby who is a world champion. Katie Kearsey (10NJ) represented League and competed in the Welsh Although Callum lost on points, this was Gloucestershire County in the Inter Championship. nothing to be embarrassed about as his

83 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 The Gruffalo - Languages Workshop

The Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and The Faculty of Welsh took part in the Association for Language Learning Gruffalo event at HMSG on May 26th. Welsh Faculty gave a rehearsed leadership skills, simultaneously creating reading of ‘The Gruffalo’ in positive relationships with the younger Welsh at the special request of students. We are very proud of them all Gruffalo author and keen as they were excellent ambassadors not linguist, Julia Donaldson. only for languages but also for the Y4 students experienced four school. different languages during the We would like to give special thanks to day whilst 21 MCS Y10 ALL for creating such a wonderful students led the sessions. This opportunity. resulted in ‘The Gruffalo’ being Miss Snook performed by the Year 4 students in all the The event was co-organised by MCS, different languages. HMSG and Monmouth School, to Julia was very pleased with the promote the importance of languages. way the day went and how her Julia Donaldson, author of ‘The stories inspired pupils to try out Gruffalo’ introduced a the series of new languages. workshops for over 70 Y4 students from six Primary Schools. Her performance None of this would have been included four different languages and a possible without the overwhelming Q & A session. Students from MCS enthusiasm of Y10 linguists, who demonstrated excellent

84 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016

Pleased to meet you... A new catering partnership began in June with Chartwells that will see catering at Monmouth Comprehensive School transformed over the next three years. The new service launched on 6th June with students and tell the story of their promises a range of new products produce and how it supports the including low sugar waffles for break community. time, a fresh new salad bar with a range All of this, in addition to planning a fresh of homemade dressings as well as new look and new food offers for the traditional favourites like sausage and catering facility in the new building, mash, pizza and a wide range of wraps, makes for exciting times ahead. rolls and sandwiches. We know how important grab and go At students’ request, Chartwells will items are but we would love you to try introduce a new wider range of food and our hot meals – excellent value and snack items into the Food Hall and packed with the right balance of nutrients SHED over the coming months. We will to keep you going all afternoon. Just look be seeking student, parent and staff what you can buy for £1.75... feedback on all new ideas to ensure the food offer is in line with everyone’s expectations, as well as being nutritionally compliant. For the warmer months, we are looking to roll out a fruit based frozen slush drink, only available at the SHED. Look out for new grab and go items being trialled in the evening services - the more innovative menu items will be tested here first - so please do drop in after school and see Last, but not least, we know how what’s on offer each day. important value for money is. Our range Nutritionists will be visiting the school of 55p snack items is increasing to include over the coming terms with fun and fruit pots, toasted raisin bagels, pancakes, educational sessions, aimed at raising toast with toppers, potato wedges and awareness on the benefits of healthy much more to come. eating. Chartwells local suppliers will Chartwells look forward to working with visit the school to conduct taster sessions the MCS community.

85 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 School and Year Council Update

about leadership and the skills involved session and they Uniform in organising an event with members of also met with the public. We held a review session after Mr Davies and Consultation the show where we all talked about the Mr Williams. We are hoping that, by the Ready for the new school, the Year skills we developed and how we might do end of term, we will have a presentation Councils and the School Council have it differently if we had the chance again. on the analysis of the information which been discussing our uniform and how Mainly we talked about the importance will also be published in academic the uniform can best represent our of planning ahead and anticipating journals. school’s motto ‘Learning to Lead Our possible problems and the need for team We hope that this research project will Lives’ along with our school values. We work and a sense of humour! provide us with a clear understanding of wanted to hear everyone’s voice so we We now have a clear vision of what we what works well for us and help us to led discussion with our Form groups. We want from our uniform when we start in develop what we do when we move into also wanted to allow the Year 5 students our new school. the new school. to have their say because they will be affected by the uniform choices in Wellbeing in Helping to design September 2017. We then thought about having a fashion show at the school. Schools Project the new build A team of students from across the Year Throughout this year members of the Groups met together to form a Concept (WHISP) Year Councils have been working with Group. They were joined on the group their Form Groups to explore their Members of the School Council have by Mr Williams, the Deputy Head, and perspectives on our new school. been working alongside Cardiff staff from The School Uniform Shop. At Members of the School Council went to University and the Centre for Public the first meeting we sat in a circle and Aberdare Community School to get a Health Improvements to look at the way explored what we would like from the taste of what a new school looks like and our school works in putting wellbeing at fashion show and then we assigned roles then led assemblies for each Year Group the centre of all we do. They were to every member of the Concept Group. on what they saw. Some of us were responsible for walking particularly interested in understanding The Year Council representatives have down the catwalk so we had advice and how the school works with the values played a very important part in guidance from two professional models. that are so important to us at school. We consulting with their Form Groups on Other members of the Group were welcomed two PhD researchers to our the design of our new school. Most responsible for hair and make-up and School Council meeting and shared with recently we had discussions on furniture, some for the sound and lighting. Many them how our school deals with conflict, lockers and lavatories. of us were responsible for ticketing and what worked well at school and the after-party! what didn’t go so well. We focussed on the restorative The show was a massive success and we approach to building, maintaining really enjoyed the evening. and repairing relationships at So what did we learn? We learnt a lot MCS. The researchers were very impressed and they told us that in doing this work, we could share aspects of our approach with other schools across Wales. The researchers made audio recordings and transcripts of our

86 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 Student Design & Technology Work

Mabli Powell

Abigail Chandra Lauren Waycott Alice Glen

Harriet Weaver

Ella Lewis Atlanta Collins

Abby Carrington

James Pascall Charlotte Davies Annika Scrivin James Pascall

87 The Leader Issue 12 - Summer 2016 As I start... As I finish...

When I started at MCS, I was oblivious to all the opportunities that We are all surrounded by the inspiration and support would guide me through Year 7. As soon as I arrived, I got into the needed to shape our life to how we desire; we just swing of secondary school and joined two clubs: Drama and need to utilise it. Monmouth Comprehensive made it Creative Writing. I admit I was a little intimidated by the older clear that it can be practical to study what you love. students but I assure you, they’re not as scary as they look! My This support, mixed with my shopping addiction and favourite subjects are English and Drama. I am sure that this school truly amazing work experience, with costume will help me achieve what I want to do in my life and achieve the designers and tailors, confirmed that fashion is what I highest levels I can reach. needed to study. I am now starting a new adventure Eloise Best, 7RW focusing on trend forecasting, product technology and fashion buying/merchandising through a fashion Starting at MCS was quite scary for me because I had come from a management course and I could not be any happier. I school of only 45 pupils. I soon settled in and made some lovely friends. will be forever grateful that I was able to study and I have enjoyed performing in music lessons and learning new things such mature into the young woman I am today with the as Welsh. MCS family. I could not have wished for anything Margy Farmer-Kindell, 7LW more, thank you.

When I joined Monmouth Comprehensive School, I was extremely Megan Harrington, 13RB excited yet simultaneously nervous. It was a lot bigger than my Monmouth Comprehensive School has taught me many primary school that consisted of approximately 200 pupils and different values, It has taught me that if you work hard that’s only one Year Group at MCS! However, I had my two older you can achieve anything. I am going to miss it but I am sisters who helped me through the first few weeks of secondary excited for my next challenge. I am going to Cardiff to school. In the short time that I have been at Monmouth study Sound Engineering and I know that all the skills Comprehensive, I have really enjoyed Physical Education and and knowledge that I have learned at MCS, are going to Science. There’s such a wide range of sports to take part in during help me with the rest of my life. Thank you MCS. PE or after school. I’ve really liked Biology and learning about how George Baynes, 13SC the body works. I have made some amazing friends and I can’t wait to make some more. I have really enjoyed my first year in MCS and Monmouth Comprehensive School has been a I can’t wait for the next! brilliant community to be a part of, I doubt I’d be Rhea Jenkins, 7TG where I am today without the help and support of the people who work here. I will remember my time at My first year at Monmouth Comprehensive couldn’t have gone better MCS fondly as I take my next steps towards a career and I feel as if I am going to be perfectly happy here for the coming years. in aviation. Next year I am going to pursue my dream The relationships I have formed, not just with fellow students but with of becoming a professional pilot and start working members of the teaching staff as well, have set me on my way to towards my airline transport pilot’s licence. With any successfully reach my full academic potential. It helps massively that I luck it won’t be long until I move onto aircraft a little receive regular feedback for my work so that I can correct my mistakes bigger than my four seater Robin DR400. and take those corrections into further writing. I have settled in really Rory Bennett, 13KW well and look forward to my next few years at this amazing school. Dan Smith, 7PT Exciting as it is to be starting a new chapter in my life, I can't help feeling a twinge of sadness that I'll soon be When I was moving from Year 6 to Year 7, I was very anxious leaving Monmouth Comprehensive School behind. Of because I didn’t have a clue what it was going to be like and there course, we're all saying goodbye to the building, little by were so many people I didn’t know. I was worried about not being little, but it's the staff and students that make the school. I able to find my way around because it is such a big school. After am grateful for all the support I have had from my being in school for a few weeks, it felt as if I had been here for years. teachers, and the interesting, engaging, and sometimes I quickly learnt my way around and made loads of new friends. I even witty, debates I have had with my peers. have particular enjoyed representing Year 7 on the School Council, Frances Dowle, 13SC where I have made friends from different Year Groups. Recently, we put on a fashion show for the new school uniform options and it was really good fun. Cameron Mills, 7AP

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