Headteacher's blog 15.12.23 - Milford Haven School

Shwmae, welcome back to this week’s blog. Please read on to join us in celebrating some of the wonderful things we have had to celebrate this week and don’t forget to check out our upcoming events for some dates to add to your diary.

Celebrating last week's

Classchart Champions

Featured News...

Proud School – Ysgol Falch
This week, MHS’ own Mr Thomas has been in London donating his stem cells with DKMS UK. He has been a blood donor for many years and has been on the stem cell donor register for a few years too. In August he had the call from DKMS to say that he had been matched as a donor with someone who had a type of blood cancer and asking if he was still willing to donate. he had to undergo a series of blood tests and medicals to make sure he was definitely the right match and whether or not he was healthy enough to donate, thankfully he was! The hope is that his healthy stem cells can help the person overcome their battle with blood cancer and make a full recovery to live a long and happy life. Hopefully there will be some positive news soon. The staff involved in setting up the procedure and undertaking we’re absolutely superb. If you are interested in registering as a donor yourself or if you would like to donate to the DKMS charity then we have included the link below. You never know, you might help save a life! https://www.dkms.org.uk/

Christmas Jumper Day – Diwrnod Siwmper Nadolig

On Friday 22nd December, our school will be taking part in our own Christmas Jumper Day to raise money for Daring charity Greenacres Animal Shelter, Dragon charity Get The Boys a Lift and Diamond charity Sandy Bears as well as fundraising for House rewards.

We know times are tough, so please remember that donations are optional (it’s having tons of fun that’s mandatory!), and any amount you can spare – 10p up to a £1 makes you an awesome fundraiser.

Please click the link below for more information and some great ideas on how you can be sustainable for this year’s Christmas Jumper Day:

https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/…/cjd23-letter-parents…

CHAMPIONS

DA IAWN DDRAIG!

A massive well done to the Dragon pupils who who took part and WON both matches in the House Hockey Tournament!

Year 8 beat Diamond 2-0

And Years 9+ won on penalties.

Miss Murray is an extremely proud HOHA!

MHS School Production

We are delighted to share with you the poster for this year’s school production. The MHS Drama Club present to you a magical MHS adaptation of Cinderella on February 6th, 7th and 8th. Tickets go on sale in December.

As always we are offering local businesses the opportunity to sponsor the show and advertise in our programme. By sponsoring the production you are helping the Drama Club continue to put on these fantastic performances.

If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s production please email jcrolla@milfordhavenschool.co.uk

AOLE Highlights

This week's highlights from our AOLE departments.

This is the work of Year 7 Westwood in Design Technology.
They are investigating energy stores and transfers, designing and making a rubber band racer that will go as far as possible.
Mr Owen managed to persuade some of the class to pose with their amazing creations but some of them were too shy!

We had a busy week last week in Hospitality and Catering, with year 9 pupils completing the Gourmet Sandwich Challenge, and year 11 pupils practising their presentation techniques in preparation for their practical exam before Christmas.

Many of the year 9 pupils made elements of their dish at home, such as making the bread and caramelising onions. They had also carefully considered the presentation, and brought in props such as coloured plates, and we even had a sleigh for the Christmas sandwich!

Year 11 pupils used their knife skills, as well as a range of kitchen gadgets to produce some impressive vegetable and salad garnishes, which they will use in their exam to add interest and achieve a colour balance.

Last week saw the Welsh beatboxer Ed Holden (Mr Phormula) back in school. Five sessions for our Blwyddyn 8 pupils were held, where Ed displayed how his Cymraeg plays a full part of his working life as a musician.

DJ Knox, DJ Sloan and DJ Zoogah were on hand for support!

Diolch to Dafydd Vaughan from Menter Iaith Sir Benfro for organising the visit again a da iawn to Blwyddyn 8 who were a credit to the school.

This weeks...

Sports News

u16’s

Year 11 GCSE PE Moderation GAME @ Ysgol Haverfordwest High – 13/12/23 #TeamMHS

Winning 40-21

The year 11 boys played in a GCSE PE Moderation game today against a very good Haverfordwest High team, it was the final game with Mr Edwards as the COACH. The boys performed really well in the first half scoring 3 tries to their 1 try, with outstanding play from Corey, Cruz and Thomas D producing some strong carries.

Haverfordwest started the second half the better team scoring 2 converted tries, making the score 21-21 with 15 minutes to go. Further tries in the second half for us, eventually making the score 40-21, but we were made to work for the victory

Cruz along with Ollie, Jack and Lincoln were strong in the set pieces, and there was some excellent covering tackling by Reggie, Sam & Morgan with Owain and Mickey coming on as big impact players, both carrying strong and making some big tackles.

In the backs, Alfie & Dylan controlled the game well as halfbacks, with Isaac the captain along with Leo making some big hits and carried well over the gain line. Ethan, Tommy, Henry & Cian showed their speed at times, and tackled well out wide preventing a few tries from being scored. An excellent all round performance, DA IAWN BOIS

Isaac Mills the Captain:

‘Again, the boys played amazing against a very strong Haverfordwest team. Despite having a few injuries early doors we continued to play brilliant rugby, which resulted in a 33-21 win from the lads. Overall, an excellent win to be sure the PE department and the whole of MHS will be proud of.’

Mr Edwards the Coach:

‘An amazing effort from the boys not only today, but for the last 5 years! I wanted to go out with a win, and the boys have not let me down. I’d like you now to continue with your sporting fixtures and make #TeamMHS

proud every time! You’ve been a credit to yourselves and to the school, POB LWC with your studies and with your SPORTS – Da iawn Bois’

Tries were shared between:

Leo

Isaac

Alfie

Dylan

Cian

Conversions by:

Dylan

Coaches Players:

Alfie Thomas

& Sam Wilson

Players Players:

Cruz Findlay

& Dylan McGuire

Officials Player:

Corey Riley

Top Supporters:

Fin & Jaime

As always a PROUD Mr Edwards, Miss Carrington, PE department & the whole school

Massive DIOLCH to all the Parents for their continued support for every fixture, it means the world to us as a department!

Massive DIOLCH to Tŷ Milford Waterfront for sponsoring our playing shirts and to Evans Coaches for top quality transport as usual

#TeamMHS

Da iawn to last week's Hot Chocolate Friday pupils

Hot Chocolate Friday

Extra-Curricular

Latest news on extra-curricular and well being activities

Enrichment
Please use the link below to access our current Enrichment booklet for the autumn term:
https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/enrichment/

Wellbeing Friday’s
Please use the link below to access our current Wellbeing Friday schedule for the autumn term:
https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/wellbeingfridays/

Cluster Band
The new Milford Haven Cluster band is rehearsing in Steynton Hall from 1.30 – 3.00pm on a Friday afternoon. This band is an exciting new opportunity for pupils throughout the Milford Haven Cluster to perform with others. If you would like to take part, please speak to Mr. Sanders-Swales or Mrs. Jenkins in the music department.

Drama Club
Join Drama Club and take part in our annual school production.

Creative Classwork

Some wonderful work produced at MHS

Welsh Phrase of the Week

Cymraeg Yr Wythnos

‘Beth yw’r tywydd heddiw?‘

‘What’s the weather today?’

UNICEF RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Article of the Week

Knowledge of The Rights
Governments should actively tell children and adults about this Convention so that everyone knows about children’s rights.

Dates for your Diary

Please note that these are subject to change.

Follow the link below for our full parent calendar.
https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PARENTS-September-2023-2024.docx.pdf

Announcements

Uniform Shop – Siop wisg

If you have any MHS uniform at home that your child has grown out of please consider donating it to the MHS pre-loved uniform shop. We have an on-site uniform shop that pupils and parents can access anytime they need for jumpers, t-shirts, trousers, coats and more. Any donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at reception. We are needing some larger size sweatshirts and t-shirts.

Important Announcement – Cyhoeddiad Pwysig

An important reminder that Milford Haven School is a nut free school.

We have several pupils with nut allergies and more who have joined us this September.

Please remember not to bring nuts into school. This includes all nut types and all products containing nut based spreads such as Nutella and Peanut Butter.

If you are unsure if something contains nuts please check all packaging for allergy information.

Important Information

Please click the link below for full details of our term dates as well as the school calendar.

Website Link: https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/school-calendar/

A reminder that copies of all the letters we have issued this academic year can be found on the ‘Letters Home’ page of our school website. It is advisable to check this page on a regular basis to ensure that you stay up to date with school information. Link to ‘Letters Home’ website page: https://milfordhavenschool.co.uk/letters-home/

GCSE POD is a fantastic resource which Milford Haven School continues to promote amongst learners and their parents/carers.

GCSE POD holds a wealth of support for a range of subjects, with some content specific for KS3 as well as KS4. Learners are encouraged to use their MHS Google log-in to access the site and start exploring the site which could prove extremely beneficial for our KS4 learners.

Please look at the following parent site tour where you can see what is on offer: https://bit.ly/2P1hJKZ

Young person’s mental health toolkit from HWB.

Below is a link to the young person’s mental health toolkit from HWB, designed for 11 to 25-year-olds. Here you will find six playlists to direct you to a wide range of online resources to help you through the lockdown and beyond. In each of the playlists you’ll find self-help websites, apps, helplines, and more that are here to support your mental health and well-being.

Please remember: if you’re finding it difficult to cope, make sure you speak to someone you trust. Who this might be is different for everyone, but it might include family members or carers, a teacher, a helpline, or a doctor. How you feel is important and lots of people are here to help if you need them.

Link to toolkit: https://hwb.gov.wales/…/e53adf44-76cb-4635-b6c2…/en