24 May 2016

Yesterday the entire Senior Leadership Team spent a day away from school reflecting on how the School has evolved during this last year and how it can continue to develop.  Last year we created the 2020 Vision: a direction MGS would now be following over the next few years to ensure it continues to grow in strength.  It was a rewarding day with many conversations being had covering a number of areas of the School.  We look forward to sharing a number of these discussions over the coming months.

As well as our day yesterday, the rest of this week is a busy one for me and a number of other members of staff.  I am hoping to secure a couple of staffing vacancies that we have for September.  Every year a small number of staff members leave the MGS community for pastures new, so final arrangements to ensure we are fully staffed for September always take place during the last few weeks of May. 

Tonight is the last Full Governing Body Meeting of the academic year.  At the meeting a number of key matters about the School will be discussed and I am sure a number of discussions the SLT had at yesterday’s Away Day will be mentioned.

Since January I have been spending some time in each department popping in to lessons, talking with staff and students, and just establishing a general feel of what is going on.  I have already seen some excellent practice across the School and this week I am spending time in ICT & Computing, Film & Media, Geography and Classics.

The week after half term is the week of internal examinations for Years 7, 9, 10 and 12.  Plenty of revision is going on around the School to ensure everyone is prepared and staff are also making their final arrangements to ensure the examination week goes as smoothly as possible.  I am sure plenty of revision will also be going on over the half term. 

17 May 2016

This week the public examinations begin and continue for the next six weeks.  Year 11 and 12 start with their GCSE and AS examinations followed by Year 13 with their A2 examinations in June.  Thank you in advance to the examination team, led by Mrs Smith, who ensure the students feel as comfortable as possible during the next few weeks, and thank you to all the hard work that has already gone in to ensure the examination admin runs smoothly.  Good luck everyone.

Friday we said goodbye to Year 13 as they moved to becoming Old Maidstonians.  The weather on Friday was wonderful which allowed the students to sit outside and enjoy their BBQ before the Leavers' Assembly.  Ms Kruppa, Harry Webster and Alex Harward reminded the year group of some good memories but there were also tears around the Hall as the students prepared themselves to sing the School Song for the last time as Maidstonians.  The japes around the School during the day were both clever and memorable; the 200 yellow ducks around the site, I'm sure, will take a long time to find!  Good luck Year 13.

Yesterday the U13 Football Squad played Oakwood Park at Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium in the Maidstone District Final.  They were playing exactly a week after the U15 Squad beat Oakwood Park 2 – 1 in their respective final.  It was a tense match for all spectators as all the boys played with heart and determination; and I am pleased to say that we brought the win home beating Oakwood Park 3 – 1.   Well done boys, huge congratulations and thank you to Mr Darbey for supporting the team all season.  Tonight after school all of the teaching staff are involved in some staff training looking at Thinking For Learning.  Five different workshops are being put on, led by staff, who are sharing good practice in a variety of different aspects of learning.  This opportunity continues the theme of staff training this year looking at teaching and learning.  It is hoped staff come away with some new ideas about how they can adapt their teaching so as to further enhance the experience the students get in the classroom.

This week Year 10 complete a day's work shadowing away from school and then return to take part in our annual Business Enterprise event.  The boys will spend three days off normal timetable; instead attending a variety of sessions led by outside speakers and presenters from the business world.  Each year the Year 10 boys learn a great deal about business and enjoy themselves in the process.  Have a good week boys.  Finally, congratulations to Cameron Browning of Year 8 who came in overall first place in the Junior Mathematics Challenge scoring 100 points, with William Drury of Year 7 coming second scoring 91 points.  Well done boys.

 

10 May 2016

This week and next we look forward three football matches that MGS is playing in.  Yesterday we played Oakwood Park in the Maidstone District U15 Final and won 2-1. Well done boys.   Next Monday the Year 8 boys compete in the U13 Final, and yes once again, against Oakwood Park.  Good luck to all those boys, well done for reaching the final and many thanks to staff members who have coached the squads all season.

This Friday is the last day for Year 13.  Despite some anxieties amongst the year group with important examinations just around the corner, the students of Year 13 thoroughly enjoy their last day and look forward to the Leavers’ Assembly.  The assembly is the formal opportunity for the School to acknowledge the year group and say goodbye before the students all become Old Maidstonians.  The most significant part of it is the singing of the School Song.  It is the last time they ever sing it as Maidstonians, and the last time they sing it together.  It is a memorable occasion and one where a number of students and staff get very emotional. 

Last Wednesday a group of drama students took part in a theatre workshop in London, culminating in them all enjoying the West End Musical Wicked.  They all thoroughly enjoyed the day, and already we have heard from parents thanking the Performing Arts Department for organising the day, and from members of the public who commented on the students’ conduct and behaviour during the performance.  Well done boys and thank you Mrs Brooks and Ms Mason for accompanying them.

Congratulations to Alexander Luisi , an Old Maidstonian who left in the summer of 2015, who was successful in receiving a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Scholarship.  Alex is enjoying studying a degree in engineering and technology and was one of about 100 successful applicants who will receive a grant from the charity to help fund their university years.  I received an email from the Institution of Engineering and Technology last week sharing the good news and asked me to give details of others who wish to do the same in the future.  For more information about the scheme, please visit www.theiet.org/diamond or contact diamond@theiet.org.  Well done Alex.

Congratulations to George Hage, another Old Maidstonian who left last year who just recently celebrated his formal commissioning as a Royal Navy Officer during a parade attended by HRH The Princess Royal.  George will now begin his specialist training to qualifying as a warfare officer and can hope to be promoted to sub-lieutenant in about six months.  Well done George.

Tuesday 3 May 2016

I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.  I am sure we can all get used to these three day weekends and four day weeks!

Firstly I wish to acknowledge the enormous efforts from staff and students with the Year 7 and 8 Science Fair.  It was the first event of its kind and we shall certainly be doing it again in the future.  Seeing all of Year 7 and 8 in the Hall and Gym displaying their own science based projects was incredible.  There was such a buzz about the place and it was clear that the boys had learnt a great deal from their work and the work of others.  A huge thank you to the Science department, particularly Ms Jefferson who led the way with the organisation behind the event.  It was also lovely to see so many parents come along and support the event.  A good day to be a part of Maidstone Grammar School.  Well done everyone.

The U13 Rugby Sevens squad took part in a floodlit tournament at Aylesford RFC last Wednesday.  They played outstandingly well to run out overall winners.  They won all 3 of their games, against both school and club opposition, scoring 13 tries and only conceding 3.   The boys involved were: Bill Leyland (Captain); Jack Mason; George Halpin; Reuben Evans; Finlay Smith; Max Cornford; Will Haywood; Jacob Wells; Josh Wells.  Well done boys.

Sam Ghinn of Year 8 competed in his first ever international gymnastics competition in Portugal over this weekend.  Sam won the all-around gold medal in the U14 age group as well as his team taking the team gold medal.  He also qualified for 4 apparatus finals and won gold on pommel and silver on floor.  He was competing against over 40 boys in his age group from 9 different countries, so this was a big achievement for him.  Well done Sam.