Tuesday 14 June 2016

Hopefully parents of Years 7 to 10 will have received a letter from me last week keeping them updated with developments of changes to the pastoral and House structures from September 2017.   This week I continue to meet with each form from Years 7 to 10 to share with them the rationale behind the developments and offer the students the opportunity to ask me any questions so as to ease their anxieties.  So far the meetings are going well, with many of the students leaving more reassured than at the start. 

This week Year 12 finish their internally set mock examinations and today have a day focusing on the UCAS process.  This is followed by an evening event tonight where Year 12 parents are invited into the School to understand for themselves the university application system and what the next six months holds for their son or daughter.

This week I attend the annual Grammar Schools Heads’ Association Conference where Heads of every grammar school meet up to discuss and hear about issues that affect their schools.  This year the two keynote speakers are the Schools Minister Nick Gibb, MP who will be speaking about the current education climate, and Rob Andrew, MBE, Professional Rugby Director of the RFU will be speaking about the challenge of leadership.  I look forward to hearing from them both.

Next Monday we look forward to the MGS Art Exhibition and the new Performing Arts Showcase.  Both take place after school on Monday beginning with the Art Exhibition at 4pm in the Big Hall followed by the Showcase at 6.30 in the Quad (weather permitting).  Both events are always a delight to see, so please do come along and see some of the talents Maidstonians have to offer.

Thank you to the many students and parents who made a donation at Friday’s Non-Uniform Day towards the Parents’ Association Summer Fete which is this weekend.  This Friday we ask the students to bring in a variety cakes that can be sold at the Fete too.  Please support the Parents’ Association if you can.  Thank you.

And finally congratulations to Hamish Reilly of 8S who took part in the World Triathlon Series in Leeds at the weekend.  It was a strong field of 'elite' Tristar 3 competitors, involving a 300m swim, a drafting cycle around Roundhay Park finished by a 2.5km run.  Hamish was thrilled to have come 3rd and receive atrophy.  Well done Hamish.