26 September 2017

Firstly I wish to congratulate the 1st XV Rugby Squad who played their first game of the season last Wednesday against Simon Langton Grammar School and won 70 - 0.  Yes 70 - 0.  What a great start to the season.  And this start continued at the weekend with every rugby squad beating Cranbrook School.  Well done lads.

Yesterday evening we welcomed parents of Year 9 boys to attend the Year 9 Information Evening.    Year 9 is an important one as it the year that sees the start of the GCSE process and with all GCSEs from now being assessed using the new measures, it is even more important to have such an evening.  I hope the evening was helpful.

 

Tonight after school sees the first full governing body meeting of the year.  It's more of an administration meeting, but it also provides an opportunity to reflect on last year and look forward to this one.

 

This Friday is a very important date in the MGS calendar; it is the Macmillan Coffee Morning.  Each year we acknowledge the event by holding our own ‘coffee’ morning, and it is always very well supported.  Last year we opened our doors to the wider community and a number of parents and Old Maidstonians joined us over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.  If you are able to please do join us from 10.30am on Friday.

 

Finally, good luck to the boys who are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Weekend this weekend.  I hope the weather holds out for you and you don’t get lost somewhere in the Kent Countryside.

 

19 September 2017

Despite the lovely weather we ended up having on Friday we sadly had already decided to hold Upper School Speech Day in the Hall and not the Quad.  It was a wonderful occasion; congratulations again to all prizewinners and thank you to Dr Derrett who was the Guest of Honour.  The Beginning of Year Service went extremely well too and was able to go ahead at All Saints Church; not like last year when we had to bring the Church to MGS.  Thank you to Rev. Mark Pavey who stepped in at the last minute to lead the Service.

Yesterday, Year 7 enjoyed a team building day completing a range of tasks and activities.  This event is new to the MGS calendar and we hope it proves successful, developing not only greater friendships but also the boys’ problems solving skills.

Tomorrow we open our doors to students across Maidstone who wish to attend our University Fair. Over 50 universities across the entire country will be here providing information and literature about themselves and the numerous courses they offer.  This is the fourth year MGS is hosting such an event, and if the last three years are anything to go by, the event tomorrow will be extremely busy and informative to all who come.  Bring a large bag to take home all of the many prospectuses!

And on Thursday this week we invite Year 13 parents into school to meet with their child’s form teacher to discuss the next stages of the UCAS process.  It is this time of year when the students complete their personal statements and we complete their references before the deadline later this term.  We hope the day is helpful.

Finally, many congratulations to swimmer Ben Ward of Y10 who in August competed in the 14yrs age group English Nationals, winning Gold in the 400 IM.   He also raced in the British Summer Championships gaining 4th in the 200 Brs, 6th in 100 Brs, 6th in 200IM and 9th in 50 Brs which places him in the top 10 British Swimmers in his age group for 5 events.  Well done Ben.

12 September 2017

Tuesday 5^th September 2017

Welcome back to Maidstone Grammar School.  I hope you all had a wonderful summer holiday and are well-rested ready for the start of a new academic year.  A particular welcome goes to all our new members of the MGS Community: the students, the staff and to the parents.  I hope you all settle in and enjoy your first few weeks and that you develop a strong allegiance with the School. The summer holiday has been incredibly busy: we have seen the completion of the new performing arts building, the demolition of the old music block, the completion of all of the ground works in preparation for the new pavilion, the installation of a new glass roof over the boys’ entrance, numerous areas of the school being painted and the beginnings of the remodelling of the staff toilets.  On top of all of this we have also received and issued, like every year, the GCE A Level and GCSE examination results to the out-going Year 13 and to the former year 11 students.  At this point I wish to thank all those members of staff who have continued their work over the summer supporting the School in preparation for the start of the new term. A couple of pieces of student news to share: On the weekend of the 26-27 August, Simon Coppard of Corpus Christi House participated in the UK Athletics Championships at Bedford International Stadium in the U17 800m. On the Saturday he ran the heat and qualified in second place with a time of 1:59.89 which meant he progressed into the final the following day.  In the final on the Sunday he ran in a very quick final against the 15 year old world record holder Max Burgin and finished with a silver medal with a new PB of 1:51.97 which he was delighted with.  Congratulations Simon and well done. And well done to William Bitz of College House who passed his Grade 5 Cornet Trinity Music Exam which he took at the end of the summer term. This week, despite it only being Week 2, is a busy one. Yesterday after school the first Extended Leadership Team meeting of the year took place.  With a new deputy head and assistant head, and four new heads of house this year it is important that we develop into a strong team early on.  In addition to this meeting the first Parents' Association meeting of the year took place, and as always have a packed programme of events to support the School. Tomorrow we invite year 12 students and their parents into school to attend the Year 12 Information Evening.  Year 12 is an important year and so it is vital to meet with the year group early to share with them what is to come during the next couple of years. And on Friday we have our Beginning of Year Service and Upper School Speech Day, the latter being the occasion when we recognise the achievements of the older students from last year.  It is also a time when many outgoing students meet once more before going off to university and the world of work.  We keep our fingers crossed for good weather.