Tuesday 29 January 2019

Yesterday I returned to the UK after spending the last eight days in the US enjoying the sights of New York and attending the Harvard Model United Nations Conference in Boston. More than 3,500 delegates from around 200 secondary schools across 40 countries came together to grapple with some of the most serious challenges in international relations. The 24 Maidstonians were all a pleasure to be with and represented themselves, their school and their country incredibly well. Many thanks to Mrs Van Mol for organising the trip and Ms Kruppa for also accompanying. Definitely a memory of the year.

Yesterday also saw the return of Ms Lonsdale who has been on a maternity leave for the last nine months. Welcome back Ms Lonsdale.

Thank you to the Parents’ Association who organised Saturday’s Ceidlh and Hog Roast. In conjunction with MGGS parents enjoyed an evening of dance, entertainment and frivolities. I hope the parents who came along had an enjoyable evening.

This Friday sees the deadline for hopeful applicants who wish to be considered for the roles of School Captain and School Vice-Captain. Shortlisting will take place next week followed by two days of interviews in the week before February half term. The field is again very strong this year, and at the time of writing, I have no idea who will be successful. Good luck to those who apply.

Congratulations and well done to William Luckhurst of Barton House who despite being under the weather, had an extremely successful day at the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships on Saturday. William entered five events which consisted of 90m freestyle, 30m Butterfly, 30m Freestyle, 30m Breaststroke and a 4 person relay. The water temperature was below 3 Celsius. William came away with 5 gold medals having won each of his events. A fantastic achievement and William will now aim for the World Championships in Bled next year.

Marvellous Maidstonian - Congratulations to Matthew Hua from Barton House who won the Maidstone Young Musician competition for 2019. Matthew won this year's competition held at Maidstone Grammar School on Saturday 19 January with impressive performances of Mozart's Sonata no17 in B flat major, and Chopin's Nocturne in E, opus 61. He competed against 7 other finalists on the night and is now through to the district finals for the national Young Musician competition which takes place in February. Well done Matthew and good luck in the next round.

A reminder that on Friday the Corpus Christi Charity Day takes place raising money and awareness for the local Mid Kent branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. (MNDA). Students will be able to come to school in non-uniform for a £1 donation on the gate. Motor Neurone Disease affects adults of any age and there is currently no cure. However, MNDA works alongside families in need to help them through difficult times.

Tuesday 22 January 2019

Well, this week is a stark contrast to last week.  Currently, as you read my blog, I am in New York and Boston accompanying 24 Year 12 students who are representing MGS at the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  The trip is an amazing experience and provides the students a fantastic opportunity to debate world issues on a global stage.  This contrasts with last week when we welcomed five Ofsted inspectors into the school to complete an Ofsted inspection. 

 

Ofsted inspections can be both draining and exhilarating, but I must say I was bowled over by the response I saw from both staff and students.  Everyone played their part in showing the inspectors how we all feel about MGS.  In particular, thank you to those students, members of staff and governors who gave up some time and met with them.  The outcome of the inspection will be shared shortly, but I will say that our community nature, the respect the students have for everyone around them, and the sense that a moral code exists at the heart of the school were particularly mentioned.

 

This week we welcome Year 8 and Year 13 back into normal school following last week’s examinations.  I hope they went well for everyone.  Results will follow in due course.

 

Congratulations to Daniel Lloyd of Tonbridge House who took part in a practice event last Saturday before he competes soon at the British Cycling National Cyclocross Championships.  Daniel competed in the U14s race held at the Cyclopark in Gravesend on a very tough and technical course, with Daniel having to do the same course as the Elite Pro men who compete in World Cup races. The course had 40m of sand, a steep 30% hill, a scaffolding bridge, steps, muddy off-camber sections, and road sections. Only the top competitors qualify for the British Championships based on points accumulated from races earlier in the season. First to be set off were the 80 competitors in the U16s and then 2 minutes later the 60 competitors in the U14s. It was a five lap race over 40 minutes with a very fast and furious start. Daniel had a steady start but then completed the last laps very strongly to finish in 8^th place overall.  Well done Daniel and good luck for the British Championships.

 

Tuesday 15 January 2019

At the weekend the U13 football squad played Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in the quarter finals of the Kent Cup.  The squad played extremely well but sadly lost the game 2 – 1.  Bad luck boys.  Also on Saturday the U12A, B, C & D rugby squads travelled to Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, West Sussex to enjoy a weekend fixture with a difference.  The boys came back with two wins, one draw and one loss – a very good and promising set of results.

 

This week Year 8 and Year 13 complete their school exams.  Year 8 students are about to make decisions on what GCSE subjects they would like to take next year and so their exams will help them and their parents make more informed choices.  Also, starting yesterday, Year 13 students are spending six days completing their mock exams.  These exams will form the final academic profile of the Year and highlight to the students what work is required between now and the summer.  Good luck all.

Yesterday I launched the application process for finding the next School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  Interviews do not take place until early February, but over the next four weeks hopeful candidates need to apply, we need to shortlist, and students and staff need to have their say.  For me watching the students grow in confidence and share with us how they feel about their school is incredibly rewarding.  Good luck to all those who apply.

On Sunday 24 students from Year 12, accompanied by three members of staff fly out to America to spend a week in New York and Boston, and take part in the prestigious Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  The students have been preparing for the conference since September attending weekly training sessions led by students from the year above.  It is a fantastic opportunity for them; let us hope the US Government shutdown and recent snow in New York do not cause too many disruptions. 

Advance notice: Coming up on Friday 1^st February is the charity day for Corpus Christi House.  They will be supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).  The usual non-uniform with a £1 contribution will take place as well as fair stalls, a raffle and a 1980s themed fancy dress for staff!  Please do get involved in as much as possible.

And finally, as many of you know already, we welcome five Ofsted inspectors into the school today and tomorrow to complete an Ofsted inspection.  We hope they see how we all feel about the school.  The outcome of the inspection will be shared in due course.  Best wishes to everyone who is involved and thank you for the tremendous efforts being put in today, tomorrow and always.

 

Tuesday 8 January 2019

Welcome to the first Headmaster’s Blog of 2019.  Welcome back to a new term; I hope you all had a good holiday, and Happy New Year.  

 

2019 starts with a busy week as from this week we welcome the new catering company, Cucina, who were successful in gaining the school meals contract back in November.  We look forward to see what they will be providing.

 

Yesterday the parents of the year 12 students who are attending this year’s Harvard Model United Nations Conference attended an information evening to learn more about the trip.  The trip to Harvard is a fantastic experience and provides an opportunity for the students to debate global issues on a world stage.  The trip goes in two weeks.

 

Tonight we welcome parents of year 8 students to hear about the GCSE options process.  The time has come for year 8 students to consider what they would like to study next year, and tonight’s information evening explains the detail.  Next week’s Year 8 exams are the beginnings of the process.

 

Tomorrow night is the Year 9 Parents’ Evening.  After two terms of GCSE studies it is a good point for parents to hear how their sons have progressed.  We look forward to welcoming you.  

 

Just before Christmas, Tom Rowe and Freddie Gache of Corpus Christi House were invited to attend the U15 Saracens rugby trials for their development squad just before Christmas.  I am pleased to say they have both been selected and represent two of only 13 players from Kent.  Well done boys.

 

Congratulations to Joseph Pickard of College House who has been invited to join the National Children's Brass Band.  This is an amazing achievement for him as there are only 4 soprano cornet seats available in the band. Well done Joseph.