Tuesday 26 November 2019

Yesterday the year 11 students finished their GCSE mock examinations and so return to normal school today.  It is hoped that the last six days have prepared them for next summer’s examinations as well as providing them with a clear ‘marker in the sand’, indicating what work now needs to be done.  The results get published in a couple of weeks.

 

It is at this time of year when our Oxbridge students hear from their respective universities and colleges.  Once they hear we put them through a series of workshops and interviews to prepare them, organised by Mr Rivers, Miss Johnson and Mrs Acaster.  Fingers crossed to them all.

 

Congratulations to the 1^st XI and U14 football squads who respectively won their football matches last week.  The 1^st XI squad beat Borden Grammar School 2 – 1 in the East Kent Premier League, and the U14 squad beat St Gregory’s Catholic School 4 – 1 in the Kent Cup.  Well done boys, and thank you to Mr Terrell and Mr Bing for supporting.

 

This Friday there are two trips: A Level French students are spending the day at the British Film Institute in London experiencing French cinema, and a number of CCF RAF cadets are travelling up to RAF Wittering for a day of flying.  I hope they all enjoy themselves.

 

And on Saturday, the rugby squads play Dartford Grammar in the annual fixture; the cast and crew of Little Shop of Horrors spend a day rehearsing in preparation for the 4^th December; and a number of families enjoy a day in Bruges on the MGS Parents’ Association Christmas Market Trip.  I hope the day is successful on all counts.

 

Last Friday 25 students across years 7 to 10 competed in the Maidstone Schools Cross Country Competition at Mote Park.  Everyone ran superbly, giving their all in very challenging conditions, and representing our school with pride.  MGS was crowned the champions of all three races; and many of the boys will now have the opportunity to represent the school again at the Inter-District Competition later in the season.  A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of sport.  Well done. 

 

Also on Friday Matthew Overal-Roe of College House travelled to the Big Rock Bond in Milton Keynes, representing his bouldering squad (Team Chimera), to compete in a combined top rope and bouldering competition. He won his age category dropping only 2 marks in total.  Well done Matthew.

 

And finally, congratulations to Tom Poole, Old Maidstonian who left in the summer, who has just won one of the coveted John Downton Award Prizes at a recent art competition.  His work will now be displayed in the Turner Contemporary Gallery. I believe this is a first for MGS.  Well done Tom.

Tuesday 19 November 2019

Firstly, I would like to thank all of the sixth form students who helped last week organise the Children in Need charity events.  The fundraising started on Thursday with the sponsored row.  Collectively the six senior prefects and I rowed three marathons over 9 hours raising over £1,300.  The support from students and staff who watched and cheered on was incredible.  And on Friday saw the usual non-uniform day which included cake selling, tombola stalls and a staff vs. staff arm wrestling competition.  Congratulations to Ms Wilson and Mr Bell, both from the English department, who won their respective competitions.  The final amount is yet unknown but the total to date is over £3,000.

 

Sadly, on Saturday and during last week, the rugby results against Skinners’ School did not go in our favour, but the spirit in which the games were played was tremendous.  The run up to Christmas is a hard one with Skinners’, St Olave’s, Judd and Dartford over four consecutive weeks.  The step up is a good one for us to rise to, and if the Skinners’ game is anything to go by, the next three weeks will be exciting to watch.  Thank you, as always, to the players who play, the parents who support, and to the staff who coach. 

 

This week is generally a quieter one, which is no bad thing.  By the end of the week we will be halfway through this eight-week term, and with the darker nights and colder weather, it always feels more demanding than it actually is.  This week though is certainly not a quiet one for Year 11 as they have their mock exams to complete.  Over six days the students will be tested across all of their subjects as well as experiencing what it is going to feel like next summer.  Good luck everyone.

 

And just an advance warning that in a couple of weeks’ time the school production is taking place.  Little Shop of Horrors is this year’s production which takes place from Wednesday 4 December to Friday 6 December.  Curtains open at 7pm with tickets being purchased on the door or in advance from the school Bursary.  Do come along.

Tuesday 12 November 2019

Firstly, I would like to thank the staff and students who supported last week’s Post 16 Open Evening.  Nearly 500 Year 11 students from MGS and surrounding schools visited us to see what we do in our sixth form.  Despite it being incredibly busy it was an extremely positive evening with many positive comments from visiting students and their parents.

 

Congratulations to the students who took part in the Mock Trial Competition on Saturday at Maidstone Crown Court.  This is the first time Maidstonians have taken part in the competition for a long time so expectations were somewhat realistic.  I am pleased to say though that the students have progressed into the national final beating Skinners’ School, Mayfield Grammar and Tonbridge Girls Grammar along the way.  The final will take place later in the year at the Old Bailey.  Well done all, and thank you Mr Ferguson for supporting them.

 

Also congratulations to the U13 rugby squad who last week beat Oakwood Park Grammar School 90 – 5, and to the 1^st XV senior squad who beat Chatham and Claredon Grammar School to progress into the final regional round of the National Bowl Competition.

 

And finally, congratulations must go to the junior cross country team who finished fifth in the South East English Schools Cross Country Competition on Saturday. This was an event involving the best teams from schools in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire and our students beat the likes of Whitgift School, Hurstpierpoint, RGS Guildford, Dartford Grammar and Sevenoaks School.  There is now an outside chance that the team will qualify for the English Schools Final in Derbyshire next month.  Well done boys.

 

Before looking ahead to this week I would like to acknowledge the conduct of all of our students at last Friday’s Remembrance Service.  Parents should be very proud to know that the entire school paused for two minutes during break time to coincide with the two-minutes silence during the Service.  It is pleasing to know that today’s generation respect the concept of remembrance even in the digital world.  Thank you to each and every Maidstonian. Thank you also to the 73 cadets and five staff who took part in the Maidstone Remembrance Service on Sunday. 

 

This week is a busy one.  Tomorrow afternoon we invite parents of year 12 students into the school to attend the GCSE Presentation Afternoon.  Students from last year’s Year 11 will be receiving their GCSE certificates to recognise their achievements following three years of hard work.  Congratulations to everyone.

 

This Friday is the annual BBC Children In Need Appeal and like every year we support the charity with a day of fundraising events.  The usual non-uniform will be in place as well as the sale of cakes and a staff vs. students Big Hall event.  To help with fundraising, the day before, on Thursday, the six senior prefects will join me in rowing a marathon.  I have foolishly agreed to row a marathon on my own, alongside Jonah and Jack, the school captain and school vice-captain, who will row one between them; and Ben, Zack, Jasmine and Will, the four house captains, who will also be rowing one between them.  There are going to be some very tired legs!

Tuesday 5 November 2019

Firstly, can I congratulate the senior students who played against Oakwood Park Grammar School at both rugby and football last Wednesday.  We always look forward to playing Oakwood Park as they are our closest competitors, and last week’s matches were once again a joy to watch.  The 1^st XI football squad beat Oakwood 2 – 1, and the 1^st XV rugby squad won 32 – 25.  Well done boys.  In addition to the senior players, I also wish to congratulate the U15 rugby squad who also beat Oakwood Park on Friday winning 31 – 12.  One of the best things about this game was the many students remaining behind after school to watch the second half despite it being a Friday afternoon.  Well done boys and thank you to everyone who came along to support.

 

Can I also thank all of the sixth form students who supported the Post 16 Open Morning last Friday and the MGS Parents’ Association Firework Display on Saturday.  Both events were opportunities for the school’s wider community to come in and see what we do, as well as giving our own students opportunities to give leadership and service to their school.  Thank you also to the members and helpers of the Parents’ Association for hosting another wonderful firework display considering the dreadful weather conditions earlier in the day. 

 

Tomorrow after school is our Post 16 Open Evening which is an event providing an opportunity for students who are considering joining our Sixth Form to see what we offer.  The evening is predominantly for students and parents of Year 11 as they are approaching a crucial part of their journey, but this year we are also inviting parents and students of Year 10 as we seek to continue to raise the aspiration and engagement of our students.  We look forward to welcoming everyone to the evening.          

 

Tomorrow is also another day when our senior football and rugby squads are representing the school.  The 1^st XI squad plays Norton Knatchbull School and the 1^st XV rugby squad plays Chatham and Claredon School in the National Bowl competition.  Good luck boys.

 

And on Friday we welcome governors, Old Maidstonians and friends of the school to attend our annual Remembrance Service which this year will be held in our redeveloped War Memorial Library.  Remembrance is very important at MGS and so it is right that we pause for a moment and remember the fallen Old Maidstonians, particularly this year from WWII.