Tuesday 27 February 2018

Last week I had the pleasure in interviewing six very strong candidates for the positions of School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  The decision to find the two successful students was the hardest yet, but I am pleased to announce that Henry Warby and Daniel Little will be the next School Captain and School Vice-Captain respectively.  Congratulations to the two of them, and well done to the other four who can still be extremely proud of themselves. 

Following last week's search to find the next School Captain and School Vice-Captain, this week we launch the process to appoint the new house captains and house vice-captains.  Students across the entire Year 12 will be invited to apply, and the final outcome will be announced near the end of the term. At that point we will then know next year's Student Leadership Team.  Good luck to those who apply.

This week senior members of staff continue meeting with students from Year 11 to discuss their thoughts for next year and progress to date.  By the end of the week, all students in the year will have been seen. 

Tonight I was due to attend the February Full Governing Body meeting to discuss a number of matters including how the school has continued to develop at the half way point through the year.  Due to the weather that meeting will now be rescheduled.  At the next meeting I will also be sharing how I see the school evolving over the next several years, setting out our ambitions and aspirations for current and future Maidstonians.

On Thursday I am attending an Old Maidstonian Society event in London where former students of the school will be gathering together to reminisce and remember fondly their time at MGS.  The concept of a London event began last year, and it is hoped that the one this week will be just as successful.

20 February 2018

Welcome back to school and to Term 4.  I hope those who were able to have a week away enjoyed the break.  I particularly would like to welcome back the students and staff who went on this year's ski trip to Italy.  I hope the snow was good and that there were very few injuries.

 

We come back to school with many students beginning the final push towards their summer examinations.  Many subjects finish teaching during the next few weeks and begin the all-important revision.  Coursework deadlines are also just around the corner with many students completing essential work that contributes towards the final grade.  Keep your heads down everyone and continue working hard.

 

This week is a very busy and important one for me as it is the time when I appoint the next School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  Yesterday and today six students from Year 12 are going through a rigorous interview process to decide the outcome.  Following these two days I will then appoint the successful candidates later in the week.  It will be once again a pleasure inviting those students to take on the roles.  I look forward to seeing what happens.

 

Beginning this week every student in Year 11 has an interview with a senior member of staff to discuss their plans for next year and how they are progressing this year.  These interviews help to focus the students’ minds during the last few of months before the examinations in May.

 

Over half term I had my final thoughts to how I see the school developing over the next 5 to 10 years which I presented at an Extended Leadership Team meeting last night.  Following this I will then present my vision to the governors and staffing body at meetings later this term and to parents and students later in the year.

Tuesday 6 February 2018

Firstly can I thank once again everyone who came along to support Friday night’s Parents’ Association Quiz.  It was very well attended with the winning team achieving 280 points out of a possible 300.  Thank you again to Mrs Birrell, the Parents’ Association and all of the students who helped make the evening run smoothly. 

Congratulations to College House, led by Ms Kruppa, for a successful House Charity Day on Friday.  Over £2000 was raised, every College form was involved and a number of students and members of staff dressed up following the animated character theme.  Well done all.

The MGS team of 14 RAF Cadets took part in the Royal Air Squadron Trophy South East Finals on Sunday. They came second overall. This means they will represent MGS and the SE region at the National Finals in about a month’s time. All 14 cadets have worked hard over the last six months to prepare for this event. They were, as always, excellent ambassadors of the school.

Over the weekend senior staff enjoyed reading the 27 application letters from the 27 students who have this year applied to be School Captain.  This time of year we search for the next School Captain and School Vice-Captain, and Friday was the deadline for students to apply.  This week we shortlist the 27 candidates to a few; they will then be interviewed the week following half term.

Tomorrow we welcome parents of Year 8 students who will be attending the Year 8 Parents’ Evening.  This parents’ evening is crucial as it is the last point parents understand how their sons are doing until the boys make their final decisions in what GCSE subjects to study next year. We hope the evening is an informative and positive one.

One trip goes out over half term, on Saturday a group of 40+ Year 8, 9 and 10 students travel also to France to spend the week skiing.  Thank you very much to the members of staff who are accompanying the students.