It has been another lively week at MGS with so much to
report on and look forward to next week. As usual, we strive to develop the
wider character of our students, so we have sporting updates, fund raising and
academic events aplenty to update you on.
Last Friday, Tonbridge House held their annual charity day.
The students decided to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and held a number
of events to support the cause. We had a vast tombola, bustling fete in the gym
and cake sales galore. Tonbridge also encouraged Maidstonians to wear a hat for
the day to raise awareness for the cause and brought the day to close with
their own version of ITV’s ‘The Masked Singer.’ As much as Mr Taylor’s
rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ got the crowd going, Mr Ashenfelter stole the
show with his powerful version of ‘Amazing Grace.’ Well done to all involved;
it was a fantastic day to be part of.
On Monday, 28 delegates, Mr Rivers, Mrs Van Mol and Mr
Tomkins himself returned from the Model United Nations Conference in Harvard.
This was a remarkable opportunity for the students and as always, they
performed incredibly well and conducted themselves in a considerate,
authoritative and intelligent manner when discussing the most complex of
topics. I know how much Mr Tomkins relishes his time on this conference, always
returning beaming with pride and full of ideas to continue to build a culture
of leadership and academia at MGS. While on that topic, MGS also hosted the
Cambridge University Debating Regional Round this weekend, with MGS entering
four teams against 48 other schools. We are incredibly proud to be selected to
host such a prestigious event and look to build on this further on Tuesday when
we take another team to the English Speaking Union competition at Tonbridge School.
One of the reasons that these events are so popular with our students is the
number of them that want to study Law. If your son or daughter is interested in
this path, we are running a talk on Wednesday afterschool in the Library on
careers in Law.
During tutor time this Friday, tutors will be running the
first round of our annual ‘Spelling Bee’ competition. This was a huge success
last year and we look forward to seeing the students push themselves again as
they look to accumulate points for their Houses. You could certainly see that
competitive House spirit this week as the fiery Inter-House Rugby competition
got underway! If you and your family have got that same competitive strain
running through you at the moment, there is still time to enter a team for PA
Quiz this Friday, which is always a fantastic event. Do also look out for the
Parent Mail sent out by the PA on their new sporting predictions quiz that you
can complete at home and your child can hand it at the Bursary with £1 per
entry. I like to think I know my sport, so I might have a go myself!
Finally, the 1st XV rugby side will be playing
Judd this week as they continue to prepare for the national semi-final in
March. Last week, they played Langley Park and beat them 40-0. It is at this point
that I would like to highlight the contributions of one young man in Year 11.
Toby Henley of College House contributed significantly in securing that
victory, so much so, that Mr Hathaway was eager to share his thoughts on Toby’s
impressive efforts during the difficult transition from junior to senior rugby.
Toby is playing sport inside and outside of school, debating for the school
next week and performing well academically. This demanding balancing act is one
we want to push Maidstonians to strive for and Toby is one of many examples of
young men and women here that prove it can be done.
A busy, but productive period of the year for all involved.
Friday is the deadline for School Captain applications from Year 12 and then Mr
Tomkins and Mr Rivers will begin the challenging process of finding the
school’s new leaders. Never a quiet moment at MGS, but we wouldn’t have it any
other way.
Mr Ferguson
Deputy Head
