21 February 2017

Welcome back to Term 4, I hope you all had a good break.  I also hope that this blog is reaching a much larger audience.  Following the recent Parent Forum meeting it was suggested by parents that this blog should be emailed out each week via ParentMail as well as being posted on the School website.  For those who are new to these blogs, then welcome, and I hope they provide a small insight into the life of MGS.  I have just returned from Paris where I accompanied the senior rugby squad on the 2017 Paris Rugby Tour.  24 sixth form students enjoyed the half term playing two games of rugby (won one 40 – 0 and lost one 29 – 12), took part in four training sessions, watched Racing 92 play their weekly fixture and enjoyed the sights of Paris and took in much of its culture.  Thank you Mr Hathaway for making this tour happen, and I look forward to the next one.

From this week senior staff and staff who predominantly work in the Upper School meet each student from Year 11 to discuss their progress to date and their plans for next year and beyond.  These meetings play an important part in the advice and guidance we give to the students, and I hope the boys come away with a clearer understanding of what they need to do during these last few months before their GCSE examinations.  Yesterday I had the pleasure in interviewing the shortlisted candidates for the roles of School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  I always look forward to this day, but more especially offering the roles to the successful two.  Tomorrow we welcome parents of Year 10 students to the School to attend the Year 10 Parents’ Evening.  The boys in Year 10 are about one year away from their GCSEs and so tomorrow night is a chance for parents to understand how their sons are getting on and understand more the new GCSE grading system. 

A reminder to parents of students in Years 7 to 12, there are two opportunities next Monday 27 February and Tuesday 28 February to come into school and meet with me and key staff to answer any questions you may have regarding our expansion plans and reshaping of the Pastoral and House structures of the School.  The sessions start at 6pm, please email my PA, Mrs Friend, if you would like to attend on denise.friend@mgs-kent.org.uk   And finally congratulations to Jabez Cheeseman of 7S who has just secured the role of young Harry in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.  This is an amazing opportunity and a great thing for a Maidstonian to have achieved.  Well done Jabez.