Tuesday 6 June 2023

Mr Hanratty, here.

It has been great to see our students return this morning, well rested, and in their summer uniforms, with most looking like they’ve seen the sun. It’s also been great to hear their stories and tales from the break, shared with each other and the staff. The same can also be said for our staff, who returned yesterday for our Inset Day, also looking sun-kissed and full of drive for the term ahead. Yesterday's Inset is a key date in the calendar where departments work together to review and adapt their curriculum for the year ahead. We also welcomed many of our new staff from September, and it was great to see them get to know and gel with their teams as the day progressed.

Today also marks the start of Pride Month at MGS, a celebration proudly spearheaded by Corpus Christi House. As a symbol of our commitment, the pride flag flies over the gatehouse. It signals not only to our immediate community but also to the broader one beyond our school gates, affirming our role as a welcoming, inclusive school that encourages students to take pride in their individual identities. Lots of exciting events are scheduled to take place, and I have no doubt the Headmaster will keep you updated when he returns to writing this blog from next week. One event I’m particularly looking forward to is the BBQ and Big Band in the Quad on Friday 30 June, where there will be an LGBTQ Icons LipSync Battle with staff and students participating.

Starting this afternoon and until next Monday, we will welcome Year 6 boys and their families to one of their welcome events known as the House Teas. This informal event allows Year 6 students to meet fellow students in their house, their Head of House, Assistant Head of House, their 6th Form Prefect Team, and current Year 7 students. Parents and carers will also join to socialise over a cup of tea. These events are such an important part of our transition programme, which started in April and continues through the next academic year.

Tomorrow, Year 12 are off timetable all day for their PSHCE Day. Throughout the day, Year 12 will take part in a number of carousel activities in small groups exploring a wide range of topics that include online behaviour, sexual health, financial advice, UCAS, drugs and alcohol. This day has been organised and delivered in partnership with a number of organisations, including the Kenward Trust.

This week is filled with several exciting cricket fixtures. Later today, our U15A team will be pitted against Dartford Grammar School at 1.30pm, followed by a match with our U14A team against Bennett Memorial Diocesan School at 2pm. The action continues tomorrow as our 2nd XI cricket team faces off against Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School at 2.30pm. On Friday, we round off the week with matches between our U12A and U12B cricket teams and their respective counterparts from Dartford Grammar School. We wish the best of luck to all the students representing our school in these games.

Of course, I cannot forget to mention the GCSE and A-Level exams that continue until the end of June. We’ve been impressed by the attitude and conscientiousness that our Year 11 and 13 students continue to show during this intense period, and we look forward to celebrating with them all in August. We wish them the best of luck in the rest of their exams this month.

Year 7 are in preparation mode for their end of year exams that begin in lessons next week. This is the first series of 'big exams' they have taken since joining us that assess everything they have learned this year. I know from my conversations with Year 7, their parents, and teachers that they are taking these exams very seriously and really want to prove how far they’ve come. We are all confident that they will do well, having seen how conscientiously they conducted themselves in this period leading up to their exams.

The Headmaster will continue to pen this blog from next week and will no doubt keep you updated on the numerous exciting things scheduled for this term ahead such as Extended Learning Week, UCAS Day, Year 9 and Sixth Form Induction Days, Sports Day, and many more. It’s been a pleasure keeping you all updated on life here at MGS over the past few blog entries. Until next time, take care.

 Mr H

Tuesday 23 May 2023

Hello, Mr Hanratty here.

Although it's the final week of term, there have been no signs of things slowing down as we approach the end. Take a moment to read about many of the exciting events that have taken place at MGS since my last blog post and leading up to the end of term.

Firstly, I wish to express admiration for the maturity and conscientious approach Year 11 and 13 students demonstrated during their GCSE and A-Level exams last week. We've been impressed by their conduct and wish them success as they continue their exams.

Yesterday, Mr Highway and the CCF team launched their recruitment process for Year 8 students to join the CCF - the largest and oldest co-curricular activity at MGS, spanning over 100 years. Our students are always eager to sign up each year, and Year 8 were no exception. The early numbers suggest that we are on track for large contingents again in Year 9 next academic year. It is great to see so many of your students serving their community in this way.

While on the subject of the CCF, we are delighted to share that our Army section won Gold at the recent Cambrian Patrol competition held last weekend. The MGS CCF team showcased a display of grit and determination, securing themselves one of the few prestigious Gold Awards presented at the event. The Cambrian Patrol, is the premier cadet competition and is based in the Brecon Beacons, the birthplace of the infantry, with a prime objective of testing cadets both physically and mentally. With teams from all over the UK competing against each other, the standards are high and demanding, and we are incredibly proud of our team's outstanding performance. Well done to all.

This week, Year 8 completes their End of Year Exams in lessons, marking their final chance to showcase their academic progress since Year 7, before they start their GCSE courses in September. We wish them the best in their exams.

In terms of career development, this Thursday, Year 10 students will receive a briefing from Mid Kent College about Post 16 options and careers during their assembly. This event complements our Careers Programme, which equips students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for succeeding in the world of work.

Similarly, our Year 9 students benefited from last week's Business Challenge, which culminated in them pitching innovative ideas and solutions to business leaders. We thank the local businesses that partnered with our students to complete this challenge: The Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Maidstone Community Support Centre, Golding Homes, Fusion Maidstone HLC, and Mid Kent Mind. We also thank Alison Temple from Firebird Training for organising the event. Congratulations to the winners of this challenge: Ben W, Theo V B, Ethan W, and Sebastian F, all from Year 9 Corpus Christi House. Their Business Partner for this activity was Julie Herbert from Golding Homes. Well done to all.

Adding to our co-curricular activities, a Year 10 Theatre trip to Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End is scheduled for tomorrow. Such trips enrich our curriculum, often bringing to life the lessons learned in class.

On a different note, this Friday not only marks the end of term but also a non-uniform day, with a theme of "Wear something green" in support of Mental Health Foundation Awareness Week. Tonbridge House continues to lead on mental health awareness throughout May, building on our efforts from April's Autism Awareness Month. These events form an integral part of our curriculum, helping us to promote understanding and inclusivity.

We're also delighted to announce that Cucina has successfully retained the school meal contract for another three years, following a highly competitive tender process.

In relation to sport, congratulations to Daniel Jones (Old Maidstonian 2017) who has been selected to row for Great Britain at this Thursday's and Friday’s European Championships in Slovenia in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls. Since leaving MGS, Dan has actively continued with his love of the sport, rowing at university as well as training with the GB squad in Scotland. We are delighted for him and wish him well.

In relation to last week's sports fixtures, several matches played out with varying results. On Tuesday, our U14A football team put on an impressive performance, securing a 4-1 win in a friendly against Aylesford School. The following day, our Cricket 1st X1 played a friendly against The Canterbury Academy but, unfortunately, they weren't able to secure a victory.

Reflecting on last week’s County Athletics Championship, MGS placed a commendable 6th overall. Some of the standouts from the day include: Noah S (Y8 Corpus Christi House) placing 2nd in the Junior Shotput, Theo R (Y10 Corpus Christi House) winning the 800m inter-race, and Alan B (Year 10 Corpus Christi House) placing 3rd in the 1500m inter-race. Both our junior and inter 4 x100m relay teams came second in their respective races. Well done to all.

Looking ahead to this week's fixtures, today we have a cricket match between our U13A side and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School at 2.30pm. Also this evening, our U14A football side will take part in the District Cup Football Final against Oakwood Park Grammar School, with an 6.30pm start at The Gallagher Stadium. Good luck to the staff and team, and fingers crossed for what is no doubt going to be an exciting final. Tomorrow, we will host a friendly cricket match between our 1st XI and Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School at 2pm, a U12A cricket match against Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in the Kent Plate, as well as an athletics meet featuring MGS Year 9 & 10 against Oakwood Park Grammar School at 2pm.

As I said at the start, there’s lots going on, and we wish our staff and students a restful break when they break for Half Term on Friday. Staff return for term 6 on Monday 5th June for Inset training, while students return on Tuesday 6th. In Term 6, GCSE and A-Level exams will continue alongside Year 7 exams, welcome events for next year’s Year 7 students, Extended Learning Week, UCAS Day, Induction Days for Year 6 and prospective Sixth Form students, and Sports Day, amongst many other exciting events. Until then, I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful break and some sunshine.

 Mr Hanratty

Tuesday 16 May 2023

Hello there, Mr Hanratty here. I will be the guest writer for the Headmaster's Blog for the next few weeks and I look forward to updating you on life here at MGS during this busy exam season. Yesterday marked the formal start of GCSE and A Level exams. The first one up was Year 11's GCSE Religious Studies Paper 1. After years of preparation, the time has come for Year 11 and Year 13 to show the world what they are truly capable of. We have every confidence in their abilities and know they will do their best. We wish Year 11 and Year 13 all the very best in their final preparations and look forward to celebrating their achievements on Results Day in August.

Last Friday, Year 13 donned their MGS uniforms once more, sparking nostalgia and marking their Leavers' Day. Celebrations included a Quad BBQ, photos, and heartfelt goodbyes. Year 11 also said their goodbyes last Tuesday. Both year groups sang the school song for the final time as year groups in their respective assemblies and there were tears.

The Year 8 End of Year Exams commence next week, in lessons. The boys are making their final preparations both in lessons and at home. This is the last opportunity for Year 8 to demonstrate how much they have learned and how far they have come since Year 7 and before they start their GCSE courses in September. We wish Year 8 the very best in their final preparations for the End of Year Exams.

Yesterday, our Year 12 students returned to school after two weeks of UCAS exams and study leave. They are now the most senior students in the school, and those that younger year groups will look up to as role models. Year 12 students have all the potential to be great leaders and sources of inspiration for the other year groups. I’m confident that they will lead the way. Yes, they have big shoes to fill in the absence of Year 13, but I know they will carve their own path and lead with pride as the oldest students at the school. They have shown resilience and commitment throughout the year, and I have no doubt they will step up to the challenge and set a fantastic example for the Lower School.

Starting tomorrow and for the rest of the week, all Year 9 students will be off timetable to engage in a Business Challenge Activity, organised in conjunction with the Firebird Training organisation. They will work in teams with local business partners who will set them a business challenge.

We have several exciting sports fixtures lined up this week. Today, our U14A football team will be facing off against Aylesford School at 2.30pm. Tomorrow is packed with activities - first with athletics where our Year 7 & 8 team is competing against Oakwood Park Grammar School, and our Year 7 to 11 team is competing against Tonbridge. The day will be capped off with a 2.30pm cricket match between our 1st XI and The Canterbury Academy. On Thursday, our U13B cricket team will play against Maplesden Noakes School's at 3.30pm. To round off the week, on Friday our 1st XI cricket team will compete against Kings Rochester at 4pm.

Reflecting on last week's fixtures, our 1st XI cricket team played a friendly match against Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School on Wednesday, though we didn't secure a win. A massive congratulations to our Year 10 football squad for Thursday night’s 2-1 win against Aylesford School in the District Cup Final at the Gallagher Stadium. Alan B (Year 10 Corpus Christi House) delivered an outstanding performance to be named Man of the Match. We're extremely proud of this achievement and I’m sure there are many more to come for these players.

As we progress through these busy weeks of exams, we remind our students about the importance of self-care and mutual support. We hold pride in each one of our students, and we're confident they will do their best in their exams. If you have the opportunity, do encourage them and remind them of their capabilities. After all, they've got this!

Mr Hanratty

Tuesday 9 May 2023

This week year 12 students continue with their UCAS examinations with students from years 11 and 13 making their final preparations before their examinations begin next week. With these GCSE and A Level examinations just around the corner we say goodbye to a number of students as they move from being a Maidstonian to an Old Maidstonian. Leaving MGS is a special moment for many students, and the singing of the School Song is the highlight. There will be tears. Best wishes to all leaving students and good luck to them in their forthcoming examinations.

Since returning to school following the Easter holiday the cricket season has had mixed fortunes. Both the weather and some of the results have been challenging to manage, but we did see a win against The Judd School last week.  Let us hope the season continues in this vein.

Tuesday 2 May 2023

I hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend, and due to the King’s Coronation, we have another one to look forward to next weekend.  We could all get used to these four-day weeks!  To acknowledge the King’s Coronation we will be flying the Union Flag on top of the Gatehouse and we will be serving some coronation-themed food in the Refectory.  Enjoy the next long weekend.

From today, the summer season of examinations begins.  Year 12, for the next two weeks, will be completing their UCAS examinations.  These will be followed by six weeks of A Level and GCSE examinations.  A lot of work has gone on from both staff and students to reach this point, so good luck to everyone, and let us hope the hard work pays off.

On Wednesday this week I will be joined by five representatives from the MGS community, including governors, staff and students as we enjoy food served up from three companies who are tendering for the school meals’ contract.  I always look forward to this day!

Tuesday 25 April 2023

Yesterday we welcomed back the year 12 geographers and geography staff who had been away in Dorset for four days last week completing their A Level geography fieldwork.  From memory of my own geography fieldwork, I hope they managed to gather all the information they needed, and did not get too wet collecting it.

At the weekend a small number of students from years 10 and 11 took part in the DofE Silver Practice Expedition in and around the Tunbridge Wells and Ashdown Forest area.  They had an enjoyable few days and learnt a few things in preparation for their assessed expedition later in the year.  Thank you to Ms Adams and Ms Alloy for supporting them all.

On Wednesday this week we welcome the parents of our new Maidstonians who will be joining MGS in September.  The Year 6 Welcome Evening is the beginning of the transition from primary school to MGS, and so we look forward to welcoming the boys and their parents at the start of their seven-year journey.  Also at that event it has become customary to welcome in the new prefect team who will lead the student body for the next 12 months.  Rafe and Jess, the new school captain and school vice-captain, will officially begin their roles after Ethan and Sam, the current incumbents, ring HMS Maidstone’s Bell signifying the end of their 12-month tenure.  I am sure there will be a few tears.

In contrast to the Year 6 Welcome Evening, on Thursday this week we begin the process of saying goodbye to our oldest Maidstonians as they move to become Old Maidstonians.  Year 13 will be gathered together for the official leavers’ photograph: a photograph that I am sure many will want to cherish.  Following this photograph, and over the next couple of weeks, there will be an assembly to talk about becoming an Old Maidstonian as well as Leavers’ Day itself, when we officially say goodbye to the cohort.  But, before these students really step into their new lives, there is the small matter of their A Level examinations!

Finally, I would like to congratulate Mr Hughes, head of College House, who successfully completed the London Marathon at the weekend in a time of 4 hours and 7 minutes in support of the British Heart Foundation.  Well done Mr Hughes.

Tuesday 18 April 2023

HM Blog - Tuesday 18 April 2023

Welcome to the first blog of the new term; I hope you all had a good Easter break and that you were able to dodge the many April showers that we experienced.

Before I look ahead to this week, I just want to update you with a couple of pieces of charity news that we received right at the end of the term, to acknowledge the three wonderful performances of Shrek: The Musical, and to reflect on the funeral for Harrison, which took place on Wednesday 12 April. 

On Friday 17 March, we had a charity day to acknowledge both Comic Relief and Maidstone Mind.  Across the day, we raised over £1700, which will now be divided equally between the two charities.  As well as this, on Wednesday 29 March, we staged a staff vs. students touch rugby match to help raise more money for the British Heart Foundation.  Just at that one event we raised over £150, which will now be added to the money that we raised on the charity day back in January when Mr Hughes, head of College House, ran 30 miles during the day.  Thank you to everyone who supported both the charity day and the rugby match. 

In performing arts news, I wish to thank the cast and crew for putting on three glorious performances of Shrek: The Musical.  Over 70 students and staff were involved with this year’s production, and what we got on those three nights in March was truly amazing.  Thank you to everyone who came along to support, and thank you Mrs Brooks and Mr Bourne for leading the cast and crew since September.  A big thumbs up from the MGS community.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the very sad day last week of Harrison’s funeral.  Over 40 members of the MGS community joined Harrison’s family and friends to pay tribute to Harrison and to remember his life.  I was so proud to see fellow Maidstonians embrace and offer support of each other, and show Harrison’s family that Harrison was a popular and kind young man who will be sadly missed.  A memorial assembly will be taking place next week.

This week we see the return of the Easter Ski Trip and Easter Classics Trip and the departure of a number of geographers from Year 12 who are going on the Geography Field Trip.  I hope the skiers return with no injuries and that the geographers have good weather to complete their fieldwork. 

Tuesday 28 March 2023

Welcome to the last blog of the Spring Term. 

This week, to end the term with a bang, we are going to enjoy three performances of this year’s production of Shrek: The Musical.  Over 70 students, supported by a number of members of staff, have been working hard since September to be in the position this week to stage the production.  This is one the biggest cast and crew team MGS has put together, so a huge thank you to Mrs Brooks and Mr Bourne for leading the entire ensemble.  Good luck and break a leg.

As well as Shrek this week, we are also staging a staff vs students sport event that will see old and young legs compete against each other for the most important prize: bragging rights!  Students always relish members of staff making a fool of themselves, so some unfit bodies running round the all-weather pitch one day this week will certainly give the students something to laugh about.  Thank you to my colleagues who have offered to take part.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed three events where we saw Old Maidstonians return to their school.  On Friday, the Hall was packed with over 70 former students who enjoyed an evening of good food and company at the annual Old Maidstonian Supper.  This was then followed the next day with the Old Maidstonain Sports Day: a day where former and current students enjoy the company of each other, playing either football or rugby together.  Then on Monday, we welcomed last year’s Year 13 to receive their A Level certificates at the A Level Certificate Presentation Evening.  It is always good having former students return to their school.

Finally, after another rewarding term, I wish you all a pleasant Spring break.

Tuesday 21 March 2023

It has been humbling to see how the MGS community has pulled together since hearing the news of the tragic death of a fellow Maidstonian last week. Our focus over the last 10 days has been to support each other and ourselves as we all come to terms with what happened. People have phenomenal capacity, and that has been evident all around the school.

Last Friday was another example of this, when we held a charity day to acknowledge Comic Relief. It was decided this year to split the money between Comic Relief and Maidstone Mind; and during the day sixth form students took park in a 300km rowathon as well as selling hundreds of cakes to the hungry masses. Thank you to everyone who took park and helped organise the day.

Last Friday we also welcomed back an Old Maidstonian who left here in 1978. He had kindly supported the resourcing of the new MFL department - a project that was completed last summer. His support at that time was greatly appreciated; it has already gone a long way to make a positive impact on the teaching of languages at MGS. Thank you.

At the weekend a number of the Royal Navy cadets had a wonderful time at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.  Whilst there they were trained to run a field gun, took small boats out onto the River Dart, learnt life-saving and man over board techniques in the pool, played water polo, and performed PLT’s on the low rope course.  Thank you to Mr Pinn and Miss Alloy for accompanying the cadets.

This week parents of year 13 students get to hear how their children are getting on at the Year 13 Parents' Evening. It is just under two months before the A Level examinations begin, so this parents' evening is an opportunity to hear what now needs to be done during this final push. 

Finally, this week, we welcome more Old Maidstonians back to MGS to attend the annual Old Maidstonian Supper. It takes place on Friday 24 March in the Big Hall, and is always a lovely occasion when seeing former students return to their old school to reconnect with one another. Shared memories, familiar faces, good food and the singing of the School Song will all be enjoyed throughout the evening.

Tuesday 14 March 2023

We started the week with the sad news of the death of a member of our school community.  The entire school has been deeply saddened by the sudden death of a fellow Maidstonian, and our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family and friends at this time. 

On other matters, on Tuesday and Wednesday this week we will be interviewing for of a new deputy head.  Mr R Ferguson will be leaving MGS at the end of the academic year to take up his first headship position, and so over the last couple of weeks we have been in the process of finding his replacement.  That process ends this week as we interview the shortlisted candidates and hopefully appoint.  With a deputy head position it is important to gauge a variety of views, so joining me in the interview process will be a number of governors, staff and of course, students.  Thank you to everyone who is taking part in the process.

On Friday, MGS will be supporting Comic Relief in the usual way.  Students and staff will be allowed to dress down for the day; cakes will be sold throughout the day made by a team of students; and the prefect teams of Year 12 and Year 13 will be competing against each other in an all-day rowathon.  Thank you in advance to everyone who will be supporting the day.