HT Blog – Tuesday 30 September 2025

 

I would like to begin this week’s blog by extending my sincere thanks to Barton House and Mrs Rees for organising last Friday’s Macmillan Coffee Morning. The Big Hall was buzzing with students, staff, parents, and friends of MGS – all coming together to support a fantastic cause over tea, coffee, and cake. It was wonderful to see the school community in full force, and I am pleased to share that we raised around £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Last week also saw a fantastic opportunity for our Classics students, who attended a conference at Wycombe Abbey. Joining over 200 other young Classicists, they enjoyed a series of lectures delivered by leading academics from Oxford and Cambridge. It was an inspiring and enriching experience, and I am very grateful to the Classics Department for making this happen.

This week, our Year 7 students are heading off for their induction trip to Bewl Water. This outing, now a much-loved part of our Year 7 programme, provides students with a chance to build friendships, strengthen bonds, and simply enjoy time together outside the classroom. A huge thank you to the staff involved in organising and accompanying the trip.

Continuing the focus on our newest Maidstonians, we are looking forward to welcoming Year 7 families into school this Thursday for our annual Year 7 Welcome Evening. This event offers parents and carers the chance to meet form tutors, hear from key staff, and learn more about the year ahead. One of the highlights of the evening is the student-led tour of the school – a real ‘show and tell’ moment where pupils proudly share their new environment with their families. It is always a lovely evening, and we are excited to see many there.

Looking ahead to Friday, we are thrilled to be hosting author and illustrator Curtis Jobling, as part of both our Literacy Programme and the Maidstone Literary Festival. Best known as the creator of Bob the Builder, Curtis will be spending time with Year 8, sharing insights into his career and creative process. We are certain it will be a memorable and inspiring visit for our students.

Finally, a big congratulations to some of our sports teams. The 1st XV Rugby Squad secured an emphatic 76–0 win over Oakwood Park Grammar School, while the 1st XI Football Squad triumphed 3–0 against Rainham Mark Grammar School – both in national cup competitions. Special recognition also goes to our U15 Rugby Squad, who remain unbeaten this academic year. A brilliant effort from all involved.

HT Blog – Tuesday 23 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 23 September 2025

I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped organise last week’s Higher Education Fair. With over 1,500 visitors exploring the school site and engaging with representatives from more than 50 universities, the event was a tremendous success. It was especially rewarding to welcome students not only from our own school but from over 15 local schools, all eager to explore their aspirations and future pathways.

After a particularly busy few weeks, this one brings a slightly steadier pace. The highlight will undoubtedly be our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday. This long-standing tradition is a much-valued opportunity for our school community to come together in support of a vital cause. Sharing a cup of tea and a slice of cake may seem simple, but it speaks volumes about the spirit and generosity of our community. It is always a popular and well-supported event.

On the sporting front, congratulations go to our 1st XI Football Squad, who delivered an impressive 5–0 victory against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School last Wednesday. This week, attention turns to rugby as our 1st XV Rugby Squad faces Oakwood Park Grammar School in the second round of the National Vase. It is an important fixture—not only in terms of progression in the competition but also as we look to maintain a clean sheet against our local (and friendly) rivals. Best of luck to all involved.

In other news, the CCF has made a fantastic start to the new school year. We are delighted to welcome 70 new recruits to the contingent, and we are pleased to announce that a parent has joined the RAF Section as an adult volunteer. At the recent Cadet Skill at Arms Meeting, the Army Section shooting team performed exceptionally well, earning a Silver medal in the Fire Control Assessment and a Bronze in the Advance to Contact shoot. Congratulations also go to Staff Sergeant Rist, who has been appointed one of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent’s Cadets for this academic year. In October, Lt Rai will be presented with the Lord Lieutenant’s Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the CCF.

HT Blog – Tuesday 16 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 16 September 2025

I would like to begin this week’s blog by extending my heartfelt thanks to the entire school community for their support, patience, and understanding during what was undoubtedly a challenging time last week. With a significant number of staff absent due to illness, our ability to deliver the usual Maidstonian experience was tested. However, thanks to the unwavering support of my colleagues and the resilience and maturity shown by our students, we navigated the week with strength and grace. It truly became a moment of pride for our school. Thank you all.

A special congratulation goes to our senior rugby and football squads, who started their respective seasons with excellent performances. The 1st XV triumphed over St Lawrence College with a 34–8 victory, the 1st XI secured a 3–1 win against Oakwood Park Grammar School, and the 2nd XI impressed with a 9–2 result against Simon Langton Grammar School. Well done to all involved – a great start to the sporting year.

Now in our third week of the new academic year, the rhythm of school life has returned. Lessons are in full flow, our extra-curricular programme is up and running, and students have once again embraced the spirit of the Maidstonian community. It is genuinely uplifting to see school life return to its usual, vibrant routine.

Looking ahead, we are once again excited to host our annual Higher Education Fair this Wednesday. We will be welcoming over 1,000 visitors to the school as they explore the Big Hall and corridors, engaging with representatives from a wide range of universities and higher education institutions. This event is a cornerstone of our careers provision, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Careers Team for their outstanding work in organising it.

HT Blog – Tuesday 2 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 2 September 2025

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the start of the new academic year—and to my first blog post. I hope everyone who was able to take a break over the summer had a restful and enjoyable time with family and friends.

We return this week following an exceptional set of public examination results. These were the strongest outcomes the school has achieved outside of the COVID years, and they are a testament to the dedication and hard work of both our students and staff. My sincere congratulations to all involved.

This week, we are welcoming students back in a staggered manner. Today we greet Years 7, 12 and 13, while the remaining year groups will join us from Wednesday. Weather permitting, we are planning a whole-school assembly in the Quad on Wednesday morning—a valued tradition and a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and celebrate being Maidstonians once more. It is always a joy to see the whole school gathered in one place.

In addition to our returning students—and the many new students beginning their journey with us—we are also pleased to welcome 15 new members of staff across various departments. We look forward to getting to know them and hope they find MGS to be a warm and rewarding place to work.

At the end of this first week, we look forward to celebrating Upper School Speech Day. This is always a highlight of the school calendar, offering one final opportunity to come together with our outgoing Year 13 cohort before they move on to new adventures. This year’s guest of honour is Old Maidstonian and former School Captain, Chris Boobier, who left MGS 20 years ago. We are delighted to welcome him back as he presents awards to our senior students.

Finally, I would like to offer our congratulations to Old Maidstonian Jacob Safa, who has recently signed a professional football contract with Charlton Athletic. Jacob was an exceptional footballer during his time at MGS and an outstanding member of the school community. We are immensely proud of his achievement.

Wishing you all a successful and positive start to the term