Tuesday 21 November 2023

Firstly, I would like to thank the Senior Prefect Team for leading on all of the arrangements for last week’s Children in Need charity day.  The 8-hour badminton-athon, the huge cake sale, as well as the non-uniform gate contributions, collectively raised over £2000. Thank you to everyone who supported the day.

Congratulations to some of our football squads who won their respective games last week.  The U13 and U15 teams beat The Lenham School 6 – 0 and 1 – 0 respectively, and the 1^st XI beat Buckswood School 5 – 3 in the National Cup.  Well done to all the players and thank you to the staff who continue to support the squads.

Continuing the congratulations for our sporting teams, MGS Rugby had a really good day on Saturday, not losing any of the matches against St Olave’s School.  Highlights were the 1^st XV 2^nd XV squads winning their respective games 29 – 0 and 68 – 0.  Well done to all players

Turning to this week…

This week Year 11 students return from their mock examinations to continue with their GCSE studies, but eagerly await the results in how they did.  On Thursday evening we will be enjoying a performance by some Year 9 drama students, and on Saturday the students going on the Everest Base Camp trip in April will be taking part in their second practice walk along and around the footpaths of the North Downs.

Tuesday 14 November 2023

Firstly, thank you to Lt Col Highway for making the arrangements for last week’s Remembrance Service at school and thank you to the 70+ CCF cadets and adult volunteers who took part in Sunday’s Remembrance Parade in Maidstone.  The Act of Remembrance will always be important to Maidstone Grammar School.

This week we are acknowledging two charities.  Yesterday we invited students and staff to wear odd socks and unusual ties to acknowledge Anti Bullying Week, and on Friday the annual charity day to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal takes place.  On Friday, as well as the usual non-uniform, we will also be selling cakes and putting on a sponsored sporting event.  Thank you to the students and staff for organising both days.

Tuesday 7 November 2023

Firstly, I would like give a huge thank the MGS Parents’ Association and all the staff and student helpers who supported Saturday’s firework display.  The weather prior to the display was somewhat challenging, but the rain stopped and the winds eased to allow for an enjoyable evening.  Thank you also to the many hundreds of you who came along to enjoy the display.

Also, at the weekend the MGS rugby players took part in the fixture against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.  Congratulations to the entire rugby contingent as for the first time this season we brought home wins for each of the squads.  The U13 and U14 A and B squads who were all at home and the U15 and senior squads were away.  Well done boys for what is a very strong rugby school. 

Today after school Year 12 parents hear from their child’s subject teachers at the Year 12 Virtual Parents’ Evening.  It is the first parents’ evening of the academic year, but for Year 12, it provides an early indication of how they are progressing with their A Level studies.

On Friday the community of MGS pauses for two minutes at our Remembrance Service and remembers those fallen Maidstonians who have died in conflict or in serving their country.  This year we acknowledge the 80^th anniversary of the Dambuster Raids, 75 years of the Windrush Generation and the 60^th anniversary of the end of National Service.

Tuesday 31 October 2023

Welcome to my first blog of Term 2; I hope you all had a good half term break. 

The term started straight away yesterday with us inviting parents of Year 11 into the school to attend the Year 11 Information Evening.  It is at this time of year when Year 11 really begin to think about what they want to be doing beyond their GCSEs - ensuring they position themselves well to achieve their best.  In just over six months’ time Year 11 will begin their GCSE examinations, but before that they need to complete their mock examinations as well as understand how the sixth form application process works.  Last night was the opportunity to hear from us about the rest of the year.

On Saturday, our biggest event, the MGS Parents’ Association Firework Display takes place.  The PA has run this event for almost 20 years, and during that time it has grown in size and popularity.  Many members of the MGS community come together to ensure the event goes ahead, so I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those people and to everyone who will be coming along to support.  If you are keen to come along, and have not yet purchased a ticket, please do so online.  There will be no ticket sales on the night.  Gates open at 5pm with the display starting at 7pm.

Tuesday 17 October 2023

Welcome to the last blog of Term 1; it still only feels like we have just started the year.  Before we break for the October holiday, there is still a busy week ahead of us. 

Last night we enjoyed some cheese and wine at the annual MGS Parents’ Association AGM.  The Parents’ Association works incredibly hard to support the school, and so at the AGM we reflected on the year that has passed, look forward to the year ahead and welcome new parents to the Committee. 

Following last Friday’s first Open Morning, today we host the second.  Year 7 guides and Sixth Form prefects will help welcome the families of perspective Maidstonians to see the school during normal working hours.  These Open Mornings complement the Year 6 Open Evening that takes place this Thursday from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.  At that event we will be exhibiting all aspects of the school from the quality of our curriculum to the varied menu choices in our Refectory.

Before I wish you all a peaceful October break, I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed in anyway to the achievements of the first term in our 475^th birthday year.  From the thousands of lessons that have taken place to the extensive extra-curricular and enrichment programme on offer, we have seen many positive successes.  Watching Year 7 sing the School Song back in September, to walking with the Year 12 students last weekend on the first Everest Base Camp Practice Walk, I have had some lovely memories already.  More of the same please next term.

Have a good holiday.

Tuesday 10 October 2023

This week is a relatively quiet week for us until we get to Friday when we host the first Year 6 Open Morning.  On Friday we open our doors to perspective Maidstonians and their families to see what we do and what we stand for.  It is always a busy and positive morning, but it also is a morning when many of our newest Maidstonians take pride in their school and act as guides to our visitors.  Thank you in advance to all of the students and staff who will be taking part.

From tonight the 56 form tutors spanning the four houses will be picking up the phone and making contact with our newest Maidstonians’ families to share how the boys have settled in following their first five weeks of MGS.  These personal phone calls follow the two house events that took place last week; they provided an opportunity for parents and carers to hear from key staff about the start of the year and see the school from the eyes of their children.  Year 7 have started extremely well, so I am sure the news will be positive.

On Saturday, as well as the normal rugby fixtures, a number of Year 12 students and staff will be taking to the Kent countryside and completing their first practice walk in preparation for the Easter trip to Base Camp Everest.  The North Downs Way will never compete with the terrain of the Himalayas, but the students and staff will put themselves through their paces and use the undulating nature of the North Downs Way to achieve as much elevation as possible. Let us hope the good weather continues until the weekend.

Tuesday 3 October 2023

Firstly, I would to thank the staff and students who supported last Friday’s MacMillan Coffee Morning.  In total we raised £3 short of £2000, which is a fantastic achievement.  Well done to everyone and a huge thank you to the staff and students who helped with the set up and organisation of the day.

I would also like to congratulate the CCF cadets who took part in the Cadet Skill At Arms Competition at the weekend.  The four cadets competed in a total of four ranges against 17 other teams from across the south east of England. They managed to place second in two of the ranges both Fire Control and the Advance to Contact, and one cadet, Julius, was also awarded overall third best shot for the Over 16 category.  Following the end of all competitions Maidstone Grammar School managed to place third overall and pick up a bronze medal. This is the best the CCF has done in this competition since 2007. Huge congratulations to the whole team for their enormous effort and determination to compete.

This week, with it being the beginning of October, we acknowledge Black History Month.  Miss Johnson, the deputy head, will be leading the week’s assemblies on the theme of Black History, focusing on the subjects of prominent Black British women and the 75^th anniversary of the Windrush Generation.

This week we also welcome parents of Year 7 into the school to attend the Year 7 Welcome Evening.  Across two nights, parents will see where their children spend their day and hear from key staff about life at MGS and how the first month has gone. 

The trip this week is to Reculver Bay.  Year 11 geography students will be visiting the village of Reculver to complete essential fieldwork as part of their GCSE examination.  The weather looks good for the week ahead, so I hope no one returns a little sunburnt, but that they have an opportunity to enjoy an ice cream!

 

Tuesday 26 September 2023

I start this week’s blog by acknowledging the first three weeks of football results.  Since the start of the new academic year, MGS football squads have played nine matches in total scoring 37 goals, and conceding only seven.  This is a remarkable achievement and one that should be rightly applauded.  Well done to all the payers and thank you to the members of staff who are supporting the teams.

At the weekend four MGS rugby squads took to the field to play Eltham College in the weekly fixture, seeing the 1^st XV secure their first win of the year.  In other rugby news Gabby of Year 13 and Corpus Christi House has just been called up to try out for the U19 England Women’s Rugby Squad.  This is wonderful news and we wish her well for possible selection.

This week is a relatively quiet week for MGS, until Friday when we as an entire school community acknowledge the MacMillan Coffee Morning.  The day will also be a non-uniform day.  Students will be joined by staff, governors and parents who will come together to enjoy each other’s company over a cuppa and a slice of cake.  MGS has supported MacMillan Cancer Support for a number of years now, and in doing so has raised over £8000 for the Charity.  I am sure Friday will be an enjoyable occasion.

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Firstly, I would like to thank the entire school community for understanding the difficulties we experienced last week with the hot weather.  It was very unusual to have such warm weather at the start of an academic year, but just like at all other times, the community of the school rolled up their sleeves (in some cases, literally) and got on with it.  Fortunately, the weather is to be cooler from this week, but I expect when we are in the deepest, dark depths of the winter we will be crying out for warmer times.  Thank you Maidstonians for getting through the first week.

Following on from the events last week we have a slightly quieter week ahead of us - but with it still being the start of a new year, there are still matters to deal with.  This week students will be having their individual and sibling photographs taken - both for our own use as well as for parents to enjoy.  In addition, we welcome parents of Year 12 students to attend the Year 12 Information Evening on Thursday: an evening to hear from key staff about the year ahead.

Providing opportunities away from school, the CCF RAF section has a trip out today to Biggin Hill Airport, and a group of students will be out on Thursday completing their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition. 

However, the main event taking place this week is a week-long event involving Year 11 and their parents.  Throughout the week form tutors will be meeting with Year 11 students and communicating with parents about the upcoming year and what the students should be doing this year to ensure they do well next summer.  These meetings and conversations are crucial to ensure Year 11 approach the year with positivity, and get the best out of it before their GCSEs.  If you are a Year 11 parent then do look out for details.

5 September 2023

Welcome to the start of a new academic year; welcome to Maidstone Grammar School’s 475^th Anniversary year; and welcome to the first Headteacher’s Blog of the year.  I hope you are all keeping well, and for those readers who have had a holiday, I hope you had a good one.  It is so good to be back, sharing once again news stories and successes that we are proud of and wish for you all to know.

We start with some amazing news from three Old Maidstonians.  Owen, Michael and Charlie, who all left Maidstone Grammar School in 2022, decided to set themselves a challenge.  At the end of July they all completed a 76-day walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats.  Along the way they were raising money for Parkinson’s, and at the moment, have raised over £7000!  What an achievement, and what an inspiration to others.  Well done to them.

Today we welcomed the entire student body back and acknowledged it at a school assembly in the Quad.  With the weather being ideal, we were all able to come together and celebrate the start of term before beginning the first lesson of the day.  It is always good to see the students return to their school, and being able to do it altogether added to the day. 

This week there are further opportunities for the school to come together.  On Thursday, we hope to be able to have a whole school photograph – something that we have not been able to do since September 2014.  This opportunity to record the moment when all Maidstonians come together is the first event to celebrate the 475^th anniversary of MGS.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather.

On Friday our older students come together to acknowledge the achievements of last year’s Year 11, 12 and 13 at the Upper School Speech Day.  Guest of honour this year is Eileen Lewis, a former member of staff who gave MGS over 25 years’ service.  Colleagues of mine are looking forward to seeing her again, as well as seeing the many students who have achieved great things receive recognition and applause.  I addition to this event, on Friday morning Year 7 will be enjoying a morning of team building activities to support their transition and induction, as well as helping them make new friends.  This always proves to be an enjoyable and memorable event.