This week is an extremely busy one for me and the
School. Starting yesterday and for the
next two weeks the Senior Leadership Team and pastoral leaders in the Upper
School interview each and every Year 11 student about their thoughts and
aspirations for the 6th Form.
It is vital that we understand their choices and how best to support
them during the last few months before the GCSE examinations in the
summer. I hope the boys find the
interviews helpful.
Parents of Year 8 this week receive their son’s GCSE
recommendations: the subjects that both the boys wish to study and what we
consider to be suitable for them. This
then forms the basis of the Academic Interview Day on Friday when all Year 8
parents are invited to come in to school and meet with a member of staff to
discuss progress and GCSE choices.
On Wednesday we welcome Year 13 parents to attend their child’s
parents’ evening; their last ever one.
There are only about 8 school weeks left before Year 13 leave us and begin
their A2 examinations. Keep working hard
everyone. On Thursday this week is the Spring Concert. Once again students from all year groups will
be involved in performing a number of pieces from a variety of musical
genres. The concert begins at 7pm, so
please do come along.
On Friday students and staff from Hurricane House
launch a new event that hopefully will be part of the School calendar each year
and be enjoyed by all Houses. Hurricane
House parents have been invited in to witness some of the talent that the House
can offer, and I know that many of the students are excited about this
opportunity. Many thanks to the students
and staff who are involved, and particularly thanks must go to Ms Alloy who has
led the organisation from start to finish. Sadly I will not be able to attend this Hurricane House
event as I am travelling up to Oldham to visit a school to look at how they
have been developing concepts of mental toughness and resilience amongst their
student body. Developing mental resilience
is being talked about a lot within the education sector and many schools are
now beginning to look at how they can develop such skills amongst their
students. It is important that every
school addresses the need to prepare young people for their future; not just in
terms of examination success and providing an all-round balanced curriculum,
but also in terms of characteristics and skills that young people can draw upon
in their lives. The intention is to
build a positive relationship with key staff at the Oldham School to share
their knowledge and experience with MGS staff.
Finally I wish to congratulate Tom Lindsey and Joshua Gray
both of Year 12 who have been appointed as School Captain and School
Vice-Captain respectively for the following academic year. Well done to them both.
