Although we had a cold, wet and snowy
weekend, it is strangely starting to feel like spring is only just around the
corner. A few small buds have started appear on the trees around us, but more
noticeably in school, it is the feel of the senior year groups that really
leaves the impression that the summer exam season really isn’t far off. Year 13
have just completed their Trial Exams and Year 11 really have started to find
the momentum needed for the summer. We will be publishing our calendar of
revision classes in the next week or so to support all with this challenging,
but exciting time.
Sometimes schools can seem like they are
forgetting the younger years when so much energy and focus looks like it goes
into the exam groups, but that is never the case at MGS. The plans for Extended
Learning Week are starting to gather pace, the Year 8s have just completed
their exams, Years 7 and Year 8 have responded brilliantly to the demands of
the new Homework Timetable and Years 9 and 10 are currently setting remarkably
high standards as they work through the initial stages of their GCSEs.
Academically, there are things happening in every year group and we are
grateful for the enthusiasm and energy of all of the MGS community.
The school’s football teams are continuing
to do battle in the later rounds of major national competitions and it was
fascinating to see Mr Hathaway’s 1st XV Development Squad take on
Hayes last Wednesday. This is a team made up of Year 11 and 12 students, who
will form the majority of next year’s senior rugby team. It’s always a funny
feeling as you realise the great players you have had during the year will soon
be leaving, only then to see the exciting development of the younger players
ready to seize their opportunity. This past weekend, MGS students also took
part in the Kent Cross-Country Championships, with all eleven students
performing well. Ben Hughes (8th of 88) and Hamish O’Reilly (14th
of 88) particularly shone in the Intermediate Competition, and Oliver
Brownridge (5th of 108) Alistair Shelley (1st of 108)
excelled in the Year 7 Competition. As with the academics, MGS is never
standing still and at the same time as everything else going on, we also send
our best wishes to all those who departed for Harvard this past weekend for
what will be a truly unique experience. A short and busy term, but an exciting
start to 2018.
R Ferguson
Deputy Head
