Tuesday 17 July 2018

At the weekend two World Challenge groups left the UK to spend the next month in Madagascar.  About 20 students from years 12 and 13 have worked incredibly hard over the last two years preparing themselves for this trip and were so excited when they gathered together at school before leaving.  A big thank you to Mrs Brooks, Ms Arbizu-Powell, Mr Hathaway and Mr Zaccarini for accompany the students and ensuring they all come back safely. 

The glorious weather on Friday meant for a wonderful Lower School Speech Day outside in the Quad.  It is always pleasing to have these special events outside as it means the entire school community can be together in one place to celebrate the achievements of the students. 

For those who don’t know him I would like to acknowledge the incredible achievements of Hamish Reilly of Corpus Christi House.  Hamish participates in the National British Triathlon Super Series for Elite Youths – events that take him across the country.  He has had some fantastic results this year, including two 3^rd places and one 2^nd place, and is currently topping the series rankings in 1^st place overall.  A couple of weekends ago Hamish competed at Eton Dorney and secured his first ever win in the Super Series – in the extremely challenging hot weather, he managed to keep a cool head and executed his race plan to almost perfection.  As such, Hamish has just received notification of selection to race in the International Super League which is taking place in Jersey at the end of September.  He is also hoping to be selected to represent the South East Region at the National School Games taking place at Loughborough at the end of August.  Well done Hamish and good luck.

Yesterday we welcomed a number of year 4 and 5 pupils into the school to attend out Brazil Extravaganza.  This event has run for four years and provides an opportunity for primary pupils to spend some time at MGS and interact with staff and students in Brazil-themed activities.  There were many smiles at the end.

Today is the annual MGS Sports Day.  The students competed in a variety of events for their respective houses ranging from trivial pursuit and music to the typical track and field races.  It was lovely to see everyone cheer their fellow house peers on.  Following Sports Day many of us will move from the field to the new pavilion for its opening.  The Ron McCormick Sports Pavilion, to give it its official title, is being opened by Ron McCormick himself, and will be a fantastic resource for the school, providing warm, dry and clean facilities for the students to get changed in.  It will be a pleasure once again to welcome Ron back to MGS, a teacher who has been associated with MGS since 1966.

And Friday is the last day of term when we say goodbye to the 2017-18 year and look forward to the summer holiday.  I am delighted to say that Mr Graham Walker, who is retiring this year after giving MGS 37 years’ service, will be speaking. The day will finish with the usual end of term assembly dismissing the students around 2pm.

 

Tuesday 10 July 2018

Welcome back from last week’s Extended Learning Week.  I hope everyone was able to have a very rewarding experience whatever they were doing.  A big thank you to the staff, adult volunteers and all the Old Maidstonians who ensured the students had a good time.  I look forward to hearing about the many stories over the coming weeks.

 

Much has happened during the last week, particularly outside of school and the progression of the England Football Team in the World Cup.  Who would have thought we would be in the semi-finals?  I am sure we will all be watching tomorrow evening.  Good luck England.

 

The warm weather continues and so it was right yesterday to allow students to come to school more appropriately dressed.  We always closely monitor the weather and make appropriate adjustments to ensure both the students and staff are as comfortable as possible.

 

This week is a busy one.  Last night was the 6th Form Prom at Leeds Castle: an event to bring the leaving Year 13 students together once more before the go off on their summer break.  Tonight is the Year 10 Parents’ Evening where parents of Year 10 come in and hear how their sons are progressing through their GCSEs.  Thursday we welcome next year’s Year 7 boys to join us for their Year 6 Induction Day: the aim being for the boys to begin to familiarise themselves with the workings of the school as well as make some new friends.  And Friday is the annual Founders’ Day Service and Lower School Speech Day: an opportunity to celebrate the founding of the school and to acknowledge the achievements of boys in years 7 to 10.