Tuesday 31 March 2020

Despite these unprecedented times and the fact that the school is closed, the Headmaster Blog still continues.  I know, for example, there is a number of Old Maidstonians who regularly look at my weekly blog to remind them of life at their old school, and so during these self-isolating times, any connection of life outside of their home is a blessing.  Sadly, there is no news to share of congratulations, but it is hoped that individual students are achieving their own successes at home.  If there is any news amongst Maidstonians that could be shared in future blogs, please do send the school an email.

We are now in Week Two of MGS Online, and life is beginning to settle down.  I would like to thank the entire staff for moving, so quickly, the core business of the school to the virtual classroom.  We have had to make many adjustments, as well as upskilling ourselves to meet the numerous challenges, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved.  Thank you to the staff and thank you parents for your positive support.

Best wishes and stay safe.

Tuesday 24 March

I never thought I would be writing my blog in the situation that we are now in.  It does not feel right that here we are in March and the school is incredibly quiet.

Firstly, I wish to extend a huge personal thank you to everyone, students and staff, for the combined efforts over the last few weeks.  We have all had to adjust, react quickly, and come together – and seeing this from the entire school community was not only humbling but made me feel very proud to be part of an amazing and selfless profession.  Thank you.

Secondly, I wish to thank the parents for their support over the last few weeks.  I have received a number of emails expressing thanks and appreciation, and praising the work that we are doing to ensure the life of the school continues.  Parents, with our help, it’s over to you now.  Please support us by ensuring your child completes the work being set and that they follow their normal timetable.  It is vital they get into some kind of routine.

The MGS Community is full of pride and tradition, and is full of people who hold MGS close to their hearts.  We have temporarily left its home of Barton Road and have moved to a more virtual one.  Despite our temporary home I know that the spirit of MGS will carry on.  And as I said in my speech at the Founders’ Day Service in July last year, ‘What makes us Maidstonians?  Other Maidstonians’.  It is the people within MGS that defines the school, not the school buildings themselves. 

Last week HM The Queen said, ‘The UK is entering a period of great concern and uncertainty and at times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal’.  Last week we as the MGS Community came together and extended our support and kindness to each other.  We will get through this and come out the other end as an even more cohesive and thoughtful community, and I am already looking forward to welcoming the students back.

Best wishes and stay safe.

 

Tuesday 16 March 2020

This week’s blog is full of congratulations.

Congratulations and thank you to all the students and staff who took part in the 12-hour Crossbar Football-athon and the Sport Relief Mile on Friday.  Over 100 students were seen running around the field at lunch in the Mile, and a few members of staff, including me, were seen walking round at the back!  Well done everyone.

Congratulations to Corpus Christi House who won the week’s Sport Relief Inter-House Competition.  After three days, Barton House was convincingly leading, but the rowing event on Thursday and the Mile on Friday turned things around.  Thank you to Mr Highsted for organising and to everyone who took part.  A good week.

Congratulations to the Senior Rugby Squad who came a respectable third in the Kent Sevens Rugby Competition on Wednesday.  Coming third also meant that they were the highest placed state school in the competition, which is something the players should be very proud of.  Well done boys and thank you to Mr Hathaway for supporting.

Congratulations to William Luckhurst of Barton House who recently competed at the World Cold Water Swimming Championships.  Will placed 7^th in the freestyle relay, 4^th and 5^th in two others, and came third (gaining bronze) in the individual freestyle event.  Overall, his placings were better than what he achieved in the previous World Championships in Serbia 4 years ago.  Well done Will.

And the CCF RN contingent enjoyed a superb day on HMS Kent at the weekend.  The cadets were a credit to the school and they got to meet The Lord Boyce, the Admiral of the Fleet.  Thank you Mr Pinn and Ms Alloy for accompanying.

Tuesday 10 March 2020

Firstly, I must acknowledge the CCF RAF cadets who took part in the RAF Air Squadron Trophy Competition at the weekend. The cadets had to compete in six different categories ranging from Knowledge to Aircraft Recognition.  Out of the six categories they placed in the top three for three of them. 3^rd place for Drill and Aircraft Recognition, and 2^nd place for Knowledge.  William Luckhurst, cadet in charge of the RAF section, also received praised for his command calling during the Drill competition.  Well done to all the cadets, and thank you to Mr Moores and Ms Dimmick for accompanying them.

Also at the weekend many of the students from Year 10 who have chosen to complete their Duke of Edinburgh were here at school undertaking a day of practice.  Learning how to use an OS map, navigating around the streets of Maidstone, how to pitch a tent successfully, learning how to cook a reasonable meal using a Trangia were all shared in preparation for the real expedition later in the year.  Thank you to the members of staff who gave up their weekend to support the boys.

This week sees a number of charitable inter house sporting competitions covering a range of sports, culminating in the Sport Relief Mile on Friday.  Football tennis yesterday, killer basketball today, relay shuttle runs tomorrow and rowing on Thursday, finishing with everyone running a mile around the field on Friday.  Good luck to everyone taking part.

Yesterday, the Year 13 mock examinations finished and so the students returned to school today for their last push before the real thing.  Teachers are now marking the exam scripts with the results coming out soon. 

Today we also welcome parents of year 11 students to attend the Year 11 Parents’ Evening.  Just like with the Year 13 mock examinations and those students preparing for their A Levels, this parents’ evening will provide an opportunity for the students to understand what they now need to do before the GCSE examinations start in May.  Let us hope for a good evening for everyone.

And on Friday the biannual Sports Relief non uniform day takes place.  The usual £1 donation will be collected at the gates, and thank you to the MGS Prefects who always do a sterling job collecting the money.

Tuesday 3 March 2020

Firstly, I wish to congratulate Christopher Haywood and Thomas Micalizzi-Lloyd for successfully achieving the roles of next year’s School Captain and School Vice-Captain respectively.  The six shortlisted candidates last week all performed incredibly well and it was a very difficult decision to whittle it down to two.  All should be very proud of themselves; and good luck to Chris and Tom who will be leading the School next year.  
Also, congratulations to Max Armstrong of College House and Emma Cresswell of Barton House for winning and coming runner up respectively in last week’s House Spelling Bee Competition.  The final took place on Friday and was extremely tough with some very difficult spellings.  Well done to them both and thank you to Ms Wilson, Mr Highsted and Mr Amin for organising.
Bad luck to the U13 Football Squad who lost the final of the Kent Cup on Saturday to Ravenswood School 4 - 1.  The boys played well and had many chances, but frustratingly they could not find the back of the net.  The final score line certainly did not reflect their performance.  Commiserations, but well done for getting to the final.  Thank you to Mr Terrell and Mr Bing for supporting them.
This week is an important week for Year 13.  The students complete their Year 13 mock exams - exams that will indicate to us how they are getting on, but more importantly will provide the students with an indication of where their gaps are.  Good luck to all of them.
Also this week, on Tuesday Year 12 students studying A-Level Art are attending a trip in London to support their studies; Year 11 students are off timetable on Thursday for two periods to attend an internally organised Mind-Set Conference; and at the weekend Year 10 students who have chosen to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award will attend some training here at school.
We have two big events this week where students are competing at a national level.  The first is the 1^st XV rugby squad who are playing in the semi-final of the National Bowl Competition.  The match is away in Worthing on Wednesday, and I do hope they bring back the win. I wish them all the best of luck.  The second event is the CCF RAF Air Squadron Trophy final that is taking place on Sunday 8 March. Traditionally in recent years we have done incredibly well at this event so I wish the cadets the best of luck. All the students involved in this and the rugby match should be very proud to know they are representing the school at a national level.