Monmouth Comprehensive School

WINTER NEWSLETTER 2016

‘Learning to Lead our Lives

Dysgu Trwy Arwain’

Mae’r myfyrwyr a’r staff yn dymuno Nadolig Llawen I chi

Students and staff wish you a Happy Christmas

In the beginning………. Excited, anxious, worried, compelled, motivated – there is not one single word that encapsulates exactly how you feel, as a ten year old child, beginning your first day at secondary school. This wasn’t just any secondary school; it would be the place I would call home for the next seven years. SEVEN WHOLE YEARS! 2555 WHOLE DAYS OF MY LIFE!

As you take the first few steps to your future, the last thing you expect to be confronted with is a heap of what only resembled Lego pieces ready to be reconstructed. This was Monmouth Comprehensive School. I was, however, instantly greeted with bright notice boards with pictures of trips and the successes of past students scattered the walls. I was instantly enticed by the calm, collected working environment that my new school had to offer!

The first two weeks were a mixture of exploration and orienteering! This place was like a bee hive – Mr Davies taking the crown for King Bee of course! Getting to know my Form and my teachers was the best part of this new adventure. Joining a new school is pretty much the equivalent of being a small fish in a very large pond – but it is amazing how quickly you move from a ‘fish’ to a ‘shoal’ as you meet people that become friends for life. Although the older students look scary, they’re not that bad!

Soon enough September had passed, October was here. This was evident with students sporting the new coat they had purchased during the summer holidays! Everything about me had grown: my confidence, my friendship groups, but most of all – my knowledge. All the extra homework hadn’t been a bad thing; I had managed to learn more than I believed my brain would allow. Lunch with Mr Davies enabled me to share my thoughts and opinions; the main course was exemplary and the dessert didn’t disappoint!

Half-term allowed me to recuperate, recharge and refresh my mind ready for another active half term. It was going to be a busy one! Despite Mr Davies’ dismay….Christmas was coming!! Much to my teachers’ frustration, the mini devil on my shoulder couldn’t help but lead me into dreams about the delicious turkey I would consume with my Form, the school pantomime and the Christmas Fair. I’m sure this wasn’t what Miss Brennan meant when she said: “What is a synonym for ‘concentration’?”

Preparations for the Christmas Fair were well underway. Looking into enterprise and coming up with ideas was only half the story! Running a successful business was tough work! Cue arguments between co-workers, disagreements about pricing and the colour of the cards – what on earth would Father Christmas say? Despite this, we pulled together and spent tireless hours after school labouring away; it will all be worth it… I hope!

So here we are, not long to go until the big day! Despite the building site, the endless assessments and the long walks to Phoenix block – the builders can’t bulldoze the buzz that fills the corridors or the enthusiasm and excitement of MCS!

Elisabeth Ashby, 7BN

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

The school will close for Christmas at 3 pm on Friday 16th December and re-open on Wednesday 4th January 2017. Friday 16th December is a non-uniform day with the theme ‘Christmas Jumpers’.

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

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

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

R Vaughan Davies Prifathro/Headteacher

BIG SUCCESSES IN SIXTH FORM MATHEMATICS

MCS students took part in the Senior Maths Challenge this term. The top 60% of students nationally receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate in the ratio 1:2:3. Top performing students are then invited to take part in follow on rounds and the very best can represent their country in the International Mathematical Olympiad. Around 1000 top scorers in the Senior Challenge are invited to take part in the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1. Bronze Certificates: Joseph Smith Y13, Josh Williams Y12, Louis Proctor Y12, Carys Robbins Y12 Silver Certificates: James Williams Y13, Harry Dalrymple Y13, Sam Smith Y13, Bethan Arnell Y12 Gold Certificate and through to the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1: Rory Gordon Yr13 Bethan Arnell and Carys Robbins also took part in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls 2016. Both were fantastic in their participation. Bethan Arnell’s was outstanding and she achieved a Distinction Certificate.

At Christmas time this year, the school will follow its usual traditions of festivities and celebration. Every year we try to make this a special time for all our students. We will be decorating the Christmas tree, presenting our Christmas Assemblies and holding our Annual Christmas Carol Service at St Mary’s Priory Church on Thursday, 15th December.

Christmas Fair

Year 7 and Year 9 students will be offering a variety of goodies at the Christmas Fair which takes place on Tuesday, 13th December in the Leisure Centre Sports Hall. All are welcome to attend.

On the 15th November, 60 Year 7 students visited Cardiff Museum and Art Gallery to view the Quentin Blake ‘Inside Stories’ Exhibition. During the morning, upstairs in the gallery, we found out about Quentin Blake and looked at his lovely illustrations. We also drew some of the tea cups and ceramic sculptures that were on show. The students were astonished to see paintings by Van Gogh and Monet, and had a go at ‘reading paintings’. In the afternoon we made drawings from the Natural History collection in Quentin Blake style, making up strange stories.

MCS Art Department “I really enjoyed visiting Cardiff and going to the Quentin Blake Exhibition. It was so much fun; I learnt a lot from it. Thanks for taking me.” Archie Wainwright. 7BY “I really enjoyed the trip. I thought the art was amazing.” Eve Allen 7BY

We Have Another Arkwright Scholar!

We are delighted to announce that we have

another Arkwright Scholar, Will Steer-Rose,

shown here at the presentation ceremony in

London.

Arkwright Scholarships are prestigious awards given to just a few hundred promising 16 year old

students from across the UK, including top independent schools. The scheme identifies, inspires

and nurtures future leaders in Engineering and Technical (as opposed to aesthetic) Design.

Scholars receive money and links with a company, university or professional body. To be

selected students must pass a competitive exam and a rigorous interview. As a school, we have

had at least one successful applicant in each of the last five years. Former scholars of ours are

currently studying at the Universities of Loughborough, Cambridge and Imperial College,

London.

Will is intent upon becoming a Structural Engineer and talked with one of the engineers building

our new school before applying, as well as doing a project in a university Engineering

Department for his Year 11 Work Experience.

Junior Commonwealth Champion India Marshall competed in the Junior Commonwealth Gymnastic Championships in Namibia in October and came home with an Individual Gold and Team Gold in trampolining for Team Wales. India has been trampolining for nearly 10 years, competing as part of the MCS Team in many competitions. India’s Commonwealth success was a record breaking one, as this is the first time trampolining has been in the Games.

BRISTOL REGATTA

A very early and bracing start is typical of rowing events. One I, and many other rowers, have experienced countless times before. Perhaps we like them, settling in on the coach, too tired to have to worry about racing. A brief drive over the bridge brought us to Bristol and we hastily shuffled off the coach and towards the trailer; untying boats, grabbing blades, checking speedcoaches. All very usual stuff. Having rowed at Bristol once before, I knew how difficult a course it was; the sharp turns, city noises and countless vessels (which were either terrifyingly or just intimidatingly large) were not in the comfort zone of someone used to the calm and beautiful Wye. First to boat, (after putting more clothes on), my crewmate and I rowed to the start of the raceline, passing SS Great Britain and the M Shed before parking ourselves in a backwater behind the Temple Meads station. What followed was a long wait, each boat which came and joined us at the start being quickly eyed to see if it was our opposition. We had only one other boat to race, it would start before us and all we would have to do would be to catch it, overtake it and make sure we got to the finish first. The numbing cold, which made my crewmate shiver and the boat shake, made our opposition decide to keep on their hoodies and tracksuit bottoms. We decided to strip down to shirts and lycra in preparation for a start that actually turned out to be quite a long wait away. In our minds this would perhaps intimidate the opposition, we laughed to ourselves as we called them “Ch-ch-chickens” through chattering teeth. Once it came to the race itself, we quickly warmed up. Having kept on the tail of the other boat for most of the race, the overtake being denied to us by the twists, turns and bridges of the Bristol waterway, we closed the gap and overtook in the final open stretch of the race, cruising past the opposition and the high end waterfront apartments with pride. We ended with a cheer for the overtaken boat and brought the boat back in, marking the shortest away-day regatta I have ever known (we got back to Monmouth by 1 o’clock) and, I admit with just a little embarrassment, my first win.

Wulfstan Scouller

PARENTPAY When making payments for School activities and ‘topping up’ your child’s lunch account, we recommend the security of using ParentPay online – just visit www.parentpay.com - If you have not received details to access Parentpay please contact Mrs S Stitt by email stitts@monmouth.schoolsedu.org.uk or telephone 01600 775171. PARENTPAY EMAIL ACTIVATION If you are receiving printed letters for trip/activity updates then please follow the easy steps below to enable you to receive all further Parentpay communication via email. 1. Login to Parentpay @ www.parentpay.com with your Username and your Password. 2. Click on the View/Edit profile tab (on left hand side of the Home screen) 3. Click on phones/emails, scroll down and check your email address if correct click the verify button 4. Check you Inbox for the Parentpay email and click on the link in the body of the email to reply to Parentpay 5. You have now completed the email verification process. 6. You will now be able to set up and receive alerts for low dinner money balances and new items added for payment.

PE UPDATE U13 Girls Football:

- Winners of Newport County Girls Cup 2016. The team will now progress to represent Newport County after Christmas.

Year 7 Football:

- Year 7 have made a superb start to the year with 52 students representing MCS so far this season. They have played 11 fixtures, winning 9 and losing 2. They play Caerleon in the next round of the Welsh Cup to progress to last 16 in Wales. Joel Morse top goal scorer with 8.

Welsh Cup Football:

- Year 7, Year 9, Year 10 and Under 13 Girls football all one win away from reaching the last 16 in Wales in the Welsh Cup.

Year 10 Rugby:

- Year 10 Rugby have 5 wins from 6 games so far. They are due to play JKHS in the Tri Counties Final. Archie Hayward top try scorer with 4.

Year 10 Football:

- Year 10 Football have 4 wins from 4 so far this season. Ben Hopkins top goal scorer with 4. Follow us on Twitter - @MonCompPE - for all the latest updates

METHOD 1. Pre-heat oven 170*C 2. Tip the flour & butter into mixing bowl; rub in with fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. 3. Add the sugar, vanilla and egg yolk, mix to smooth dough. Knead lightly. 4. Roll out to about 1cm. Thickness. 5. Use pastry cutters to cut out shapes

Iced biscuits: Writing icing pens Silver balls Sprinkles

Cut out star shapes / Christmas trees Bake 15 – 20 minutes. Cool and decorate

Chocolate dipped biscuits: Melt 100g chocolate in the microwave (use measuring jugs) 30seconds. Dip one half of biscuit into melted chocolate. Leave to set on cooling rack

Caramelised onion, blue cheese and walnut crudités 4 large onions – peeled & thinly sliced 6tbs. olive oil Salt & pepper 1 tbs. balsamic vinegar 50 mini French toast or crudités 4 tbs. chopped walnuts 150g blue cheese – crumbled

1. Cook sliced onions in a frying pan with olive oil and salt & pepper uncovered for 40-50 minutes until golden, completely soft and caramelised. Stir in 1 tbs. Balsamic vinegar.

2. Combine the blue cheese and chopped walnuts. 3. When ready to serve, spread a small amount of caramelised onion on the crudités 4. Place a small teaspoon (quenelle) of cheese mixture on each crudité and garnish with a sprinkling of cayenne pepper.

Food Technology – Christmas Treats

This term our students have been making Christmas treats in their Food Tech lessons. The students hope you enjoy these tasty morsels.

Festive Biscuits 150g plain flour 1 tsp. vanilla essence/1/2tsp cinnamon 100g butter 1 egg yolk 50g caster sugar greaseproof paper Optional Extras 50g Cranberries & zest of an Orange 50g Chocolate chips & 1/2tsp. Cinnamon

NSEA

DRESSAGE

COMPETITION

I decided to set up the NSEA team as part of my community challenge which is a section of my Welsh Baccalaureate (I have to complete around 30 hours of volunteering in the community). I had seen other schools in our area participate and I felt MCS had a lot to offer in terms of competition. Our first event on Saturday the 19th November was a very early start for the three riders competing at Allens Hill Equestrian Centre in Worcestershire. Millie Arnup, Tara Anderson and Millie Edwards arrived at 8am, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Despite the cold, everyone was raring to go and hoping to do well at our first competition of the season. Everyone warmed up beautifully with the ponies looking immaculate (not to be put off by the intimidating Dean Close team). Millie Arnup did a lovely test to achieve 64.25% on her new pony. Millie Edwards also achieved a good result to gain 63.14% and Tara Anderson really pulled it out of the bag to get 68.88% on her lovely pony, Lulu. I was overjoyed with the team's efforts but was even prouder to say we came 6th at our first competition and Tara coming 3rd individually! What a great day and roll on the next competition.

Alice Livesey, 12 FW

Careers and Higher Education Fair (CHEF) The annual Careers and Higher Education Fair takes place on Tuesday 17

th January at 6.00pm in the Sports Hall and T Block Dining Hall. Over

100 career professionals and higher education establishments will be present, providing information on education, training and employment opportunities. This event will be of particular benefit to several Year Groups.

Year 9: will soon be considering their Year 10 subject choices. By talking to Careers, Further Education and University Representatives, Year 9 students and parents can choose subjects relevant to their future goals.

Year 10: as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate, students are required to organise and participate in a Work Experience placement. Many Career Representatives at the Fair currently offer Work Experience or will be able to suggest organisations that will be able to do so.

Year 11: will soon be deciding whether to stay on at School in the Sixth Form, go to College, undertake training or enter into employment. The Fair will help with all these possibilities.

Year 12 & 13: will soon be considering, or are in the process of, applying for their University or Career Choices. The Fair will help with both.

To access further information on The Careers and Higher Education Fair please contact Mrs K Jones at the school.

Fröhliche Weihnachten !

A group of our KS4 and A level German students were fortunate to experience the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham on Saturday 19th November. The visit was also offered to Year 8 - Year 13 students, as an opportunity to experience cultural differences, in addition to the shopping experiences of the big city.

This Christmas Market is now the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the country and has run for the last 11 years. This provides students with an insight into a German cultural tradition, whilst enjoying an exciting experience. The Frankfurt Christmas Market is at the centre of the city during the festive season. Traditional stalls offer an array of beautiful handmade toys, Christmas decorations, jewellery and gifts as well as some entertainment. German delights such as non-alcoholic mulled wine (Glühwein), grilled sausages, vegetarian options, pretzels, gingerbread, crepes and marzipan sweets are also on offer. Many thanks to all our students, who showed such enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to take them and I hope they enjoy sharing all the German Christmas culinary delights with their family over Christmas. Miss Snook Twitter - @mcsmfl

As Christmas draws near, we are all

made aware of the need to be cautious and safe with our property and our

money. We have been advised to

remind all our community to make sure that homes are kept safe, personal

items are not left in sight and that credit/bank details are kept secure.

There is a lot of useful advice on the

internet about ‘staying safe’– a useful link is given below:

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-protection/bank-card-cheque-fraud

Ymadroddion a Geiriau Nadolig yn y Gymraeg- Welsh Christmas phrases and words Triwch ddefnyddio rhai o’r rhain yn ystod y Nadolig eleni! Try using some of these over Christmas this year! Nadolig Llawen- Merry Christmas Cinio rhost- Roast dinner Siôn Corn- Father Christmas Siocled- Chocolate Hosan- stocking Dydd Nadolig- Christmas day Noswyl Nadolig- Christmas eve Coeden Nadolig- Christmas tree

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, five of our

Year 9 students were invited to attend the Home Grown Talent event at County Hall, Usk on the 16th November.

The event was run by Monmouthshire County Council and involved a presentation and workshop with local

entrepreneur James Robinson, creator of the Cardiff based

advertising agency Hello Starling.

This was followed by an Apprentice style challenge where students were able to put their newly

acquired knowledge skills to the test.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 13 December – Year 7/9 Christmas Fair

15 December – Carol Service, 7 pm St Marys Church

16 December – TERM ENDS at 3 pm – Non Uniform

19 December – 03 January – Christmas Holiday

04 January 2016 – TERM BEGINS

w/c 9 January – Extra Curricular Buses commence

11 January – Y10 Parents’ Evening

17 January – Careers & Higher Education Fair

26 January – Y11 Parents’ Evening

02 February - Pre Sixth Evening

08 February – Y9 Options Evening

08 February – Y9 Parents’ Evening

17 February - Eisteddfod

20 - 24 February – HALF-TERM

27 February - TERM BEGINS

09 March – Y11 Next Step Day

22 March – Y7 Parents’ Evening

24 March - Comic Relief – Non Uniform Day

30 March – Extra Curricular Buses finish

7 April – TERM ENDS

10 April – 21 April Easter Holiday

11 April – TERM BEGINS

w/c 1 May – Extra Curricular Buses commence

01 May – BANK HOLIDAY

Summer 2016 Examination

Certificates

The certificates for the

Summer 2016 exams are at

school and ready for collection.

Students still in school will have

their certificates issued through

their Form Tutors. Students

who have already left will be

able to collect them from

Reception between 8.30 and

4.00. If you are a student who

has left us but you are unable to

collect your certificates

yourself, please ring school and

we can make arrangements for

someone else to collect them on

your behalf.

Holidays during Term Time Continuity in learning is important at Monmouth Comprehensive School. When a student misses school, it can create difficulties both academically and socially. Wherever possible, term time absence should be avoided (especially during GCSE and GCE years). In exceptional circumstances Parents/Carers may apply to the school for term time absence. An application form will have to be completed (these can be obtained from School Reception) and returned to the school at least two weeks before the start of the proposed time of absence. Permission should not be assumed.

INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSURES Should we experience inclement weather this year, school closure will be announced: - on our telephone system - on our website - via email - on local radio stations - on Twitter We do not use Facebook. In the rare circumstance that we have to close during the school day, it is vital that parents have emergency plans in place. For example, where should your child go, if there is no one at home to receive them? Please make sure that we have up to date emergency contact details.

Just in case you need it……. The number for the Absentee Line is 01600 775284

Bringing Personal Items to school

Whilst we do all we can to secure our premises

and on-site equipment, we cannot be held

responsible for students’ personal possessions.

The school advises that mobile phones, iPods and

other valuable items are either stored in school

lockers or kept at home.

Uniform Thank you to all our parents who support us in maintaining high standards of uniform across the school. Uniform can be a real challenge for parents, and the school particularly, as fashions come and go so quickly. We are keen to work together to find a solution that supports learners, parents and the school. Currently we are exploring, with suppliers, the possibility of providing good quality, competitively priced badged items that will complement our polo shirts.

Music Update Mayor’s Spectacular 7th October

Congratulations to the following performers for their fantastic performances at the Savoy Theatre. Bronwen Davies, Gracie Follows, Bethany Piper, Cassie De St Croix, Eliza Mayo, India Harris, Kate Murphy, Keeley Scoles, Romy Dickson, Maisy Watkins and Josie Jones. This was an evening that featured many of the local community organisations. MCS students featured also in Guiding/Scouting groups and local amateur dramatic contributions. A large amount of money was raised for the Mayor’s chosen charity.

Overmonnow Arts Week Ten Music and Drama A Level students visited Overmonnow as part of their Arts Week on 20th October. Drama students performed their restorative themed project to the Y6 students and then led a pupil workshop. Music students led a performance workshop and students sang ‘Happy’. MCS students worked professionally and feedback was outstanding. Well done – Harri Archer, Henry Damon, Lucinda Merrett and Pippa Morgan (Music students), Alex Damon, Megan Freeman-Thompson, Hannah Pope, Merrydith Russell, Ellen Wise and Annabelle Wright (Drama students). 11th November – Remembrance at school Thanks to Henry Damon for his playing of the Last Post and well done for supporting local services by playing for them on Remembrance Sunday. Royal Albert Hall – Gwent Music Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performances at the School’s Youth Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. Monday 14th November Isca Linea Senior Strings - Harri Archer and Eliza Mayo (Viola). Wednesday 16th November Ensemble members – Harri Archer, Eliza Mayo (Viola), Ollie Chilcott and Bethany Piper (Violin), Choir members – Alex Beddoes, Bethan Carlton, Anna Crossley, Joseph Curtis, Joss Das Gupta, Briony De Witt, Star Fellowes, Archie Goodridge, Daisy Hale, Molly Hole, James Hopgood, Scott Jackson, Benjamin Jones, Callum Jones, Katie Mapp, Eloise Moreby, Josh Morgan, Lucy Powell, Joe Ridgway, Sam Robinson, Jude-Ray Weaving, Molly Williams. It was an amazing performance and an experience that our students won’t forget in a hurry. Thank you to our parent supporters who also made the journey with us to London.

Dates for the Diary

Thursday 8th December - 6pm- Candlelit procession Monmouth- all brass players needed Thursday 15th December - School carol service 7pm - Choir, Orchestra In the New Year – Year 9 Performance Evening date tbc, GCSE and A Level Recital Evening date tbc Friday 24th March 2017 - Music for Youth Regional Festival, Newport

Reminder Choir rehearsals every Thursday after school. Senior choir rehearsals Wednesday after school Orchestra rehearsals every Friday after school Please follow us on Twitter for all the latest information and news - @MusicMcs

‘Peg It Up’

MCS students showed off their talent at the exhibition at Penallt Art Festival on

the 23rd September where work from the three Monmouth Schools was on show.

The evening was well attended with guests and members of the public, voting for

best picture as well as being able to purchase some of the Art on show

A big congratulations to our students who gained 2nd and 3rd prizes for best

picture as voted by the public.

Natalie Morgan (year 12) 2nd prize ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Joe Buckland (year 11) 3rd prize ‘Fish n’ chips’

‘Peg it Up’

MCS students showed off their talent at the Exhibition at Penallt Art Festival on

the 23rd September where work from the three Monmouth Schools was on

show. The evening was well attended with guests, and members of the public,

voting for best picture as well as being able to purchase some of the Art on

show

Congratulations to our students who gained 2nd and 3rd prizes for Best Picture,

as voted by the public.

Natalie Morgan (Y 12) 2nd prize - ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Joe Buckland (Y11) 3rd prize - ‘Fish n’ Chips’

On Saturday, 26th November, Hope Henry (13BF) took part in the Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships in Cardiff.

Following her success in last year’s event, this year Hope’s hard work paid off as she became Welsh National Champion in the Women’s J18 2K (7.25 mins – a 2 second PB)

Hope also came 3rd in Wales in the Women’s Open 500m (1:39.1 mins – a 7 second PB) and 4th in Wales in the Women’s Open 100m (19.2 secs – a 0.4 sec PB)

Hope will be giving us a full update in next year’s Leader magazine, due to be published in Summer 2017.

On Saturday 3rd December, 28 students left MCS at midnight and ventured to France for the day to visit the Lille Christmas market

The city did not disappoint. With its fantastic ferris wheel overlooking Lille (the third largest city in France), the aroma of crèpes and nutella

gauffres enticed us all and the sound of French carols filled the air.

All students were filled with Christmas spirit and returned with many French delicacies and delights. A most enjoyable day for all.

Twitter - @mcsmfl

FURTHER SUCCESS FOR HOPE

Welsh Gymnastics Champion Iwan Scrivens, 7BY, became the Welsh U12 Floor and Vault Champion. Iwan won a gold medal on the floor and a silver medal on the vault.

Afternoon Tea for MFL On Wednesday, 30

th November, Y11 GCSE Catering Students provided a

professional Afternoon Tea, serving refreshments as part of a meeting of the Association of Language Learning Branch. The group meet to discuss areas of language learning, however, the meeting was made more delightful by our catering students delivering a variety of savoury and sweet treats. The students worked diligently all day to produce their menu and continued into the early evening.

Part of their task was to decorate the room and also serve the guests. Our students were a credit to our school and conducted themselves with professionalism, receiving endless comments about the delectable and impressive array of food.

Many thanks to our hardworking students and to Mrs Fuller for supporting the group.

So far 133 families have raised £1,543

whilst shopping online - click here

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th January. We are a friendly and enthusiastic bunch - always in

need of new ideas and new faces! We love it when people come along to find out how they can get involved, and

there are lots of ways both big and small which all make a positive impact on students' lives at school. If you can't

come to meetings, but want to help, please email us at the address below.

Huge thanks to Cara for running another free Heartstart session in October. These are organised

every term, teaching emergency life-saving skills to people 10 years old and over - you can find more

information here.

moncompfriends@gmail.com TWITTER: @mcsfRIENDS www.easyfundraising.org.uk

Our pre-used uniform is very popular and

we urgently need more donations,

especially anything with the new logo,

rugby tops and PE socks. Thank you to

Sarah for providing such great service to

many satisfied customers. We sell very good

quality items at very reasonable prices e.g.

£3 for a sweatshirt or rugby top! We

recycle anything we can’t use. More details

are available on the school’s website here

The Pop Quiz, held on 7th October, was a fabulously noisy and fun night. We were warmed up by a spicy curry from the school kitchen (although we will need to calm the curry down a bit next year!), and then entertained by Dr Rock as we listened to clips of songs that we all knew we had heard before, but couldn't necessarily remember who sang them or what they were called!

The competition was close, but in the last couple of rounds 'Hot Spice' pulled away from the rest of the teams to claim victory and prizes. Congratulations to them and to the top junior team, the intriguingly named 'Rubber Ducky Ninjas'. Many thanks to Shane 'spreadsheet' Wallace who is a most excellent 'Project Manager', Mike and his team in the kitchen, Kingstone Brewery in Tintern for donating their peerless beer, all the helpers and organisers (including the amazing Admin Team at school and our two Sixth Form roadies, Matt and Ricky) and all of the families who rocked up to have fun and support the Friends. You helped raise over £560.

Please take the time to read this rhyme!

When you shop online this Christmas time

Raise FREE funds for us without any fuss.

Join us today

easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/monmouthcomp

Please don’t delay!

So many shops to choose from

(With Superdry, Viking, eBay, & Amazon...)

To be a real star, Download the tab bar!

Shopping away from home?

Get the app on your phone!

We hope you enjoyed our rhyme

& remember us when shopping

this Christmas Time!

So far 133 families have raised £1,543

whilst shopping online - click here