HT Blog – Tuesday 11 February 2025

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 February 2025

I start this blog by thanking Mr Hanratty for stepping in over the last two weeks and writing my headteacher’s blog.  As he explained in his first blog, I was away from school accompanying a group of year 12 students on the Harvard trip where after three days in New York spent four days in Boston attending the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  The experience of such an opportunity was very much enjoyed by the students, and the other two staff members who were with me certainly valued watching the students take part.  Thank you to Mrs Van Mol for leading the trip, and to Mr Andrews and Isaac, this year’s school captain, for preparing the students so well over the last four months.

Thank you to Miss Alloy who accompanied a team of RAF cadets at the weekend to compete in the Regional Air Squadron Trophy Competition.  MGS has in the past done extremely well in this competition and so it is something that the older RAF cadets look forward to taking part in.  Overall, they came 7th out of 19 schools in the South East, coming 4th in Drill and First Aid and 5th in Air Rifles and the new Space task.  With two new disciplines and a large number of changes within the team, they did well.

This week we look forward to three performances of this year’s school production: Allen in Wonderland.  A crew and cast of staff, students and Old Maidstonians have been busy rehearsing over many months to now be in a position to stage this classic but contemporised pantomime to the masses.  The pantomime takes place in the Big Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, with doors opening at 7pm.

Also, this week a few students in years 12 and 13 who study A-level Classics are going to be enjoying a trip to the Bloomsbury Theatre in London to see Aristophanes’ Frogs: the political but satirical play about doing things conservatively, or "the old way," instead of progressing or finding a new way of doing things.  I am sure they will enjoy the performance.

In sport, congratulations to Johan of Year 12 and Corpus House who after successfully achieving U18 Table Tennis Kent Champion progressed to the National Finals in Wolverhampton in April.  Also, at the same competition Alexander of Year 8 and Tonbridge House became the U13 Consolidation Cup Champion.  Well done to them both.  Outside of individual performances, congratulations to the MGS Senior Rugby Sevens Squad for winning all of their matches at last Wednesday’s round robin against Sutton Valance School, Gravesend Grammar School and Dartford Grammar School.  And also, despite the MGS 1^st XI Football Squad losing to Hampton School in the National Cup quarterfinals, they continue with their success in the Kent Cup by playing Borden Grammar School in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

In maths news, congratulations to Ighodaro of Year 10 and Barton House and Gus also of Year 10 and Barton House who qualified for the Pink Kangaroo Mathematics Challenge after achieving Gold in the recent UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.  Well done to them both.

And finally, bon voyage to the students and staff who are taking part in the history trip to Venice and the senior football squad tour to Valencia over the half term break.  I am sure they will have a wonderful time and thank you to the staff who are accompanying the students in their own holiday.

 

Tuesday 4 February 2025

Hello again, Mr Hanratty here. Our staff and students on the Harvard trip returned to the school on Monday after a week in the USA, specifically New York and Boston. Following a few days of sightseeing in New York, they participated in the Model United Nations Conference in the latter part of last week and over the weekend.

        As the oldest, largest, and most prestigious Model United Nations conference of its kind, our Year 12 students joined hundreds of Harvard College students and thousands of high school delegates to collaborate and develop as leaders. The event enabled our students to put into practice the skills they developed over the past few months at school, which helped them succeed in public speaking, problem-solving, and developing solutions for the world’s most pressing and complicated challenges presented to them at the event. Thank you to all the students for their commitment and for representing the school so positively. Thank you also to Mrs Van Mol, Mr Andrews, and Mr Tomkins for supporting the students in the preparation for and during this trip.

        Whilst our Harvard trip was taking place in the USA, our 1st XI senior squad was involved in two significant fixtures last week - the quarter-final of the Kent Cup and the quarter-final of the National Cup. On Friday, they fought for their place in the semi-finals of the ESFA U18 National Cup. The match was held at home against Hampton School, with strong home support - there had been an increasing buzz around the team all week in the build-up to the match, and this manifested in an electric atmosphere pitch-side from the home crowd, who really got behind the lads. We conceded two goals in the first twenty minutes and scored before the half-time whistle. We scored again deep into the second half, with it seeming that the match would go into extra time; however, Hampton put one in the net within the final few minutes, and despite several attempts right up to the end, our National Cup campaign ended - 3-2 to Hampton School. Although this was not the score the team or supporters wanted, it is a historic entry into the school’s long list of sporting successes, and congratulations to the team and Mr Hughes on this achievement.

        It must also be noted that the same team played in the quarter-final of the Kent Cup on Wednesday against Langley Park School for Boys, coming away with a 7-1 victory, which takes them through to the semi-finals in the coming weeks. Congratulations to the team and Mr Hughes on this achievement, and we wish them the very best in their preparation for the next stage of the tournament.

        Thank you also to all the supporters who came along to not only these two matches but the many other football, basketball, and hockey fixtures which took place last week, and to the staff who led these teams.

        Looking at the week ahead, we begin our series of LGBTQ History Month House assemblies with Tonbridge House. We work hard to ensure that MGS is an inclusive and safe community for all identities, and these assemblies are a small part of a wider strategy that promotes equality, inclusivity, and diversity.

        On Friday, our first major tech rehearsal will take place for our latest pantomime, Allen in Wonderland. Tickets are now available, and we are excited to present performances next week on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of February. Thank you to all our staff and students involved in the production, and judging by previous performances over the years, I look forward to taking in what I know will be a great evening of entertainment.

Take care, and the blog will resume with the Headteacher’s entries from next week.

Tuesday 28 January 2025

Hello there, Mr Hanratty here in the absence of the Headteacher who is currently in New York supporting our annual Year 12 trip to the Model United Nations Conference. The company of students and staff are spending the first half of the trip in the Big Apple, taking in all the city has to offer, before traveling to Boston for the weekend and the business end of the trip. We wish all involved the very best and a massive thanks to all the staff and students who helped prepare the students in the build-up to this demanding event. A special thanks to Isaac M, School Captain (Year 13, Corpus Christi House), and Mr Andrews (OM 2021), who contributed to the trip during their respective years and have shared invaluable expertise on how to best prepare.

        On the debating front, we’re delighted that our Senior Debating Team has made it to the Schools’ Mace Regional Finals on Tuesday 11 February thanks to the debating prowess of Isaac M (Year 13 Corpus Christi House), Kiran S-L (Year 13, Barton House), Henry A (Year 13, Tonbridge House) and Benjamin B (Year 13, College House). Thank you also to Mrs Coveney who supported the team through the event. The team was one of 360 schools competing in Round One back in November, and has made it to the final 72 schools – this is a significant milestone which we are certainly proud of them achieving.

        Whilst on the topic of national competitions, our 1st XI senior squad will take on Hampton School, at home this Friday in the quarter-final of the ESFA National Cup. Making it this far in the tournament is an incredible achievement in itself, and our school community is right behind the lads as they build up in their final preparations for the match. Kick-off is at 2pm and the match is billed to be a spectacular game of football considering the level of competition and determination demonstrated in the previous matches. A massive thank you must also go to Mr Hughes who has coached and led the team to this position. We’re behind you all, you’ve got this!

        This week in school, we see horizontal year group assemblies for Year 11 and Year 10, following the House assemblies I delivered last week and yesterday. Last night we had an information evening for parents/carers of the students going on the History Trip to Vienna at half term. On Wednesday, many of our gifted mathematicians will compete in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge. This 60-minute, 25 multiple-choice challenge encourages mathematical reasoning and will take place here at the school. Thank you Mr Calvert for organising and overseeing the challenge. Also this week, we see formal GCSE exams take place for Food Preparation and Nutrition, with the practical exams beginning today and running until Friday. Good luck to all the Year 11 boys sitting these exams, and if the aromas I’ve been taking in whilst walking past your lesson are anything to go by, then I’m sure you’re all in for a set of great results. Finally, on Friday whilst all our eyes are on the 2pm kick off, our CCF cadets and staff will slip away for their CCF Recruit Camp which will take place across the weekend. Thank you to the staff giving up their weekend to give our cadets this great experience.

        Best wishes to you all and follow our social media channels for updates on these events this week.

Mr H

HT Blog – Tuesday 21 January 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 21 January 2025

I start this week’s blog by congratulating Mr Hughes and the Senior Football Squad for successfully progressing to the quarter-finals in the English Schools’ Football Association U18 Schools Cup.  Last week they all travelled up to Southend to play Southend High School Boys in the last 16 of the competition.  I was fortunate to watch them secure the win, but it certainly did not come without a fight.  The final score was 5 – 3 to MGS, but on three occasions Southend High School led, and on two occasions when we scored to equalise, Southend took the lead within a minute.  It was a very tense match.  Well done to everyone involved, and we now look forward to the next round against Hampton School.

Continuing the congratulations, well done to Patrick of Year 9 and Corpus House who, after a successful 2024, has just been selected to represent Kent within the Kent County U14 Golf Squad.  Well done, Patrick.

More sport news, good luck to the U14 rugby squad who play in the last 16 of the National Cup against Whitgift School on Wednesday and thank you to Mr Cooper for supporting the players all season.

The time has come to search for the next school captain and school vice-captain.  On Friday last week I spoke to the entire Year 12 to launch the application process and encourage those students who are interested to apply.  This is the best time of year for me as I get to work with, and learn more about, some of our outstanding Maidstonians who wish to aspire for the two roles.  Good luck to everyone who applies.

This week we invite parents and carers of Year 11 to attend the Year 11 Consultation Evening: an evening for the students and their families to hear how they are getting on and how they can utilise the next few months before the GCSE examinations in the summer.  I am sure it will be a positive evening for many.

On Sunday the 24 year 12 students travel to New York and then onto Boston to attend the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  The students have been preparing for this trip for the last four months, and so are very much prepared for what they will be experiencing.  A huge thank you to Isaac of Year 13 and Mr Andrews for supporting them over those last four months. 

Finally, despite it being the third week of the new term, this week Mr Hanratty, one of the deputy heads, will be saying Happy New Year to MGS as he leads the New Year assemblies to each house.  We look forward to hearing what he has to say.

HT Blog – Tuesday 14 January 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 14 January 2025

Last week six sixth form students who study languages at A level enjoyed a day at Kent University, Canterbury at the annual Sixth Form Language Conference. Throughout the day the students attended a variety of different seminars and met a number of other students across Kent who also study languages. Thank you to the staff who accompanied them.

On Wednesday, a number of year 12 students travel to St Hughes College, Oxford to spend the day at the university and taking part in a variety of activities to expose them to what life is like at the university. I am sure they will have a good time and have an opportunity to meet some undergraduates.

 Also, on Wednesday the Senior Football Squad travel to Southend to play Southend High School for Boys in the last 16 of the National Cup. Just before Christmas the Squad beat The Judd School 3 - 0 in the last 32 of the competition, and now they drive to Essex to play in the next round. Best wishes to the players and thank you to Mr Hughes for coaching them throughout the entire season. Come back with a win!

HT Blog – Tuesday 7 January 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 7 January 2025

 

Happy New Year to you all; welcome back to school, and welcome to my first blog of 2025.  Here we are one-third the way through the academic year and at the start of a new calendar year.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break and a peaceful New Year.

We start the new year with Year 13 sitting important mock examinations.  These examinations will illustrate how the students have progressed though their A-level studies and indicate what needs to be done over the next few months.  Good luck to them all.

We also start the new year with the completion of the building work phase of our new fitness gym project.  Drakemoor has been working on the project since the summer, but now the time has come to take back the building from them and look to kit it out with state-of-the-art equipment.  Just before Christmas we sent out a flyer promoting our fundraising campaign to support this project, and so, if you are interested in supporting us then please complete the online donation form via this link.

Finally, congratulations to Anthony of Year 11 and College House who has been asked to interview for the prestigious Arkwright Scholarship.  This year we had six students apply for the Scholarship, however five missed out after a valiant effort in their exam. The six should be very proud though, getting through this year’s strong 1500 applications.

HT Blog - Tuesday 17 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 17 December 2024

Welcome to my last blog of not only 2024 but of Maidstone Grammar School’s 475^th birthday year.  Following the end of this term we officially leave the year of our 475^th birthday and begin a new one.  We have, together, been reminded of our special association we have for this school and the special connection we have with our fellow Maidstonians.  I hope Maidstone Grammar School has enjoyed its birthday year just as much as we have.

But before we say goodbye to 2024 there is still this week to finish.  On Friday last week, thanks to Tonbridge House, we all enjoyed the annual Christmas-themed Charity Day.  A variety of different activities took place throughout the day with a sum of just under £1700 being raised for Save the Children, well done to all involved in organising the day.  Following the day, a large crowd of Maidstonians gathered under the floodlights to watch the MGS Senior XI Football Squad play The Judd School in the National Cup.  The atmosphere was amazing - with the result going our way, beating The Judd School 3 – 0.  This means we are now one of 16 remaining teams still in the competition.  Huge congratulations to the Squad and thank you to Mr Hughes for guiding the players to reach this point.  Following the match the Big Hall was transformed into a festival venue as a number of musicians from across the staff and students took part in the Battle of the Bands event. Huge thanks to Mr Martin who not only performed with his band but organised the entire event.  It certainly was a good day to be a Maidstonian.

Also, at the weekend the last Saturday rugby fixture took place against Ravenswood School.  There were mixed fortunes across the different squads, but the 1^st XV managed to secure a win, beating Ravenswood School 7 – 5.  Well done to them.  Whilst our rugby players were out representing their school, the Navy cadets were spending the weekend at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and a group of younger students travelled to Cologne to enjoy the Christmas market.  They all had a fantastic time and thank you to the staff who accompanied both trips.

This week many of the students and staff will be enjoying their Christmas lunch served by the staff of Cucina.  It is always a popular occasion, and with the sound of pulling crackers and the sight of paper hats, the meal is always well received.  Thank you to Cucina for preparing it for us.

Also, this week I deliver my last Christmas assembly to Tonbridge and Barton Houses.  Since last week I have been sharing with everyone my thoughts on the last term and saying goodbye to leaving staff as well as hearing from the School Captain and School Vice-Captain on their thoughts on the upcoming festive period. 

Finally, William in Year 11 and College House has just regained his title of National Junior Champion in the electric kart series Global Karting League for 2024. This meant that he has gained a fully funded place in the 2025 season.  Huge congratulations William.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and peaceful New Year.  See you in 2025.

HT Blog - Tuesday 10 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 10 December 2024

Firstly, I must praise and give thanks to the brave rugby payers and staff who braved the dreadful conditions of Storm Darragh at the weekend.  Fortunately, I found shelter in the dug-out, but the players, coaches and referees all suffered the challenging conditions for the pride of their school.  A weekend we won’t quickly forget.

Yesterday we welcomed parents of Year 12 to attend our annual GCSE Certificate Presentation Afternoon.  It is an event where we issue Year 12 with their GCSE certificates and recognise their hard work and academic achievements from last year.  The students now need to look after them as those certificates will be needed in their futures.

Also yesterday, a number of parents spent an enjoyable evening together at the MGS Parents’ Association Christmas Wreath Making event.  At the start of the evening the school refectory floor was covered in Christmas-themed foliage, but by the end, every parent took away with them a hand-crafted wreath fit for any front door.  Thank you to the Parents’ Association and to Mrs Hudson for leading the event.

This week I begin delivering my Christmas assemblies to each house.  Over the next two weeks I will be speaking with each house and sharing with them my thoughts on the term that has passed and looking ahead to next year.  Joining me will be the School Captain and School Vice-Captain who will also share a few words of their own about the upcoming festivities.

On Friday this week we have three big events: the Christmas Jumper charity day led by Tonbridge House; the Band Evening; and the MGS vs. The Judd School 1^st XI football match as part of the National Cup.  The Christmas-themed charity day where we invite Maidstonians to wear a Christmas jumper has become a well-established event in the MGS calendar, but as well as the wearing of festive jumpers, this year a number of school bands (including a staff band) will be performing on stage in the Big Hall in front of an excitable audience.  Following the day, some of those same bands will be performing at our Band Evening to a larger audience of rock lovers; and just before that our senior football players take on The Judd School in the all-important match in the National Cup.  The match is at home and will be under the floodlights of the all-weather pitch, which always makes for an exciting event. Good luck to the players.

Huge congratulations to Dexter of Year 11 and Corpus Christi House who last week received the fantastic news that he has been selected for the GB Gymnastic Top Squad for 2025.  This is a wonderful opportunity for him to represent Great Britain!

Finally, well done to Tonbridge House who won the first Battle of the Houses Quiz that took place last Thursday.  100 house points go to them.  Thank you, Mr Holmes, for organising the event and acting as quizmaster. 

Tuesday 2 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 2 December 2024

I cannot believe we have already reached the month of December.  The Christmas tree is up in the Big Hall, and we are beginning to make plans for the end of term.  But before we break for the Christmas holiday there are still three weeks to go.

This week Year 8 take part in two days of activities to begin thinking about what they might be interested in doing after they leave school.  I am sure, like me, the students have very little idea of what they want to do in the future, but the work they will be doing over these two days will help them consider what their strengths are and what they might like to study at GCSE.

Yesterday we welcomed again students and their families from outside MGS who are considering joining the school in the sixth form.  This open morning follows the two we had last week as well as the Post 16 Open Evening we had last Thursday.  At that evening event many people wandered the corridors of MGS to get an idea of what we do and how special it is being a Maidstonian.  Thank you to the many staff and students who shared their pride for their school with our guests.

On Thursday we are hosting a new house competition: Battle of the Houses Quiz.  Students across the four houses will be pipped against each other in a series of general knowledge rounds to see which house comes out on top.  Good luck to them all and thank you to the competitors for taking part and the staff for compiling the questions.

Tuesday 26 November 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Following on from my comment in last week’s blog, I now am able to share the total raised at the recent BBC Children in Need charity day.  Putting together the non-uniform gate contributions, the cake sales, and the donations for the 24-hour sportathon, this year we raised a total of £2,415.72.  Huge congratulations to everyone and thank you again for everyone who took part. 

Congratulations to Dexter of Year 11 and Corpus Christi House who competed for England in the 2024 Artistic Gymnastics Austrian Future Cup.  Dexter performed brilliantly, securing silver in the Pommel and bronze in the Rings.  Well done Dexter.

Both last Wednesday and yesterday, MGS rugby squads took to the field to play Worth School in two National Cup matches.  The first match last Wednesday was another ‘under the floodlight’ game for the senior players.  Sadly, they lost 31 – 20, but they put up a really good fight to keep the scoreline close.  Yesterday the U15 players played the same school in their respective match, but this time away at the Worth School itself.  Sadly, we lost 17 – 12, but again, the fight and passion from the players, particularly near the end, was certainly something to see.

This week year 11 students return to normal lessons following their mock examinations but now have to wait a few weeks for them to be marked, moderated and graded.  Results will be released on Wednesday 18 December, so not too long to wait.

This week we also open our doors and welcome the wider MGS and Maidstone community to attend our Post 16 Opening Mornings and Post 16 Open Evening.  The mornings provide an opportunity to see the school at work, whereas the evening provides an opportunity to talk with students and staff about A-levels in more detail and to hear from key staff about what life is like for a Maidstonian.

On Wednesday we welcome the BBC to MGS to share their BBC Bitesize initiative with a group of students.  Over the course of the day students from across a number of different years will hear from representatives from the BBC about how BBC Bitesize can help, and how the BBC is funding new developments in how it supports education.  I am sure it will be interesting.  Also, on Wednesday the senior football squads play The Harvey Grammar School in their weekly fixture, which will be followed on Friday and Saturday with the rugby squads playing the always-strong Dartford Grammar School.  Good luck to all the footballers and rugby players.