Tuesday 16 May 2017

 Last Friday was a sad day for many as we said goodbye to Year 13.  Year 13 Leavers’ Day is always an emotional occasion; for students saying goodbye to their school after building a connection with it can be very difficult.  The students left in good spirits, with some shedding the odd tear.  Good luck and best wishes to them all.

 Sadly the U14 footballers lost to Oakwood Park Grammar School at last week’s Maidstone District Final at the Gallagher Stadium.  It was 1 – 1 at full-time and then still 1 -1 at the end of extra-time.  After the standard five penalties, it was 3 -3, and then sadly we missed the next penalty to mean Oakwood taking the match.  The game was incredibly exciting with the boys being a credit to their School.  Bad luck boys, and thank you Mr Terrell for supporting them throughout the season. 

The GCE and GCSE examinations began yesterday and will be with us for the next six weeks.  Timings of the school day are different because of the examinations and it always takes a few days to get used to them.  With lunch being an hour earlier I am sure there will be some hungry students in the evening when they return home!

Tonight after school there is a Full Staff Meeting which is providing me with an opportunity to speak to everyone about the coming months and years.  It is always this time to year when attention turns to the new year in September, and my words to the staff tonight will set out the next phase in MGS’s life.

On Friday I am in Birmingham attending the Grammar School Heads’ Association (GSHA) committee meeting.  I am standing to be a committee member of GSHA and this meeting on Friday is my first opportunity to support the workings of the association.  With grammar schools being encouraged to expand and the drive from the Government to increase the number, the work of GSHA is becoming even more relevant.