Tuesday 21 May 2020

Firstly, I wish to apologise for the delay in publishing my weekly blog.  With the circumstances that we are in I have had my attention elsewhere!  I am sure you will understand.  My focus over the last week has been to digest the guidance I have been receiving in order to prepare for a potential reopening in June.  There is a lot to consider, but we are working hard to ensure we are prepared to welcome students and staff back, and that we get it right.  More details will be shared in due course.

This week marks a significant milestone in the current lockdown.  The school has been closed for longer than a normal summer holiday period.  I have never experienced schools being closed for this length of time – I have even gone eight weeks without wearing a shirt and tie!  Sadly, we are going to be closed, for the majority of the students, for much longer, but I am so pleased to know that the Maidstonians out there are progressing with their studies and that spirits remain high.  We will be together again one day soon.

Yesterday I attended the first ever virtual Old Maidstonian Committee meeting.  The Committee meets every three months, but sadly due to the current situation they had to do it via Zoom.  In the Society’s 136-year history who would have thought its Committee members would meet in this way.  It went surprisingly well!

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Welcome to the sixth week of school lockdown.  I hope you are all still keeping well and remaining safe.  Following the Prime Minister’s announcement at the weekend we now know that years 10 and 12 may possibly return to school before the end of the academic year, but other year groups it is unlikely that we will see them until September.  We now have something to work towards, and so we will be making plans accordingly.  I will keep you updated.

The archaeological work on the field is now complete.  One digger and two archaeologists were on site for three days last week looking at what is underneath the surface of the field.  We await their report before we can begin the all-weather pitch project.

For any Old Maidstonians out there, you will be pleased to hear that I have been in contact with former school captains and school vice-captains during my tenure as headmaster.  Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed catching up with as many of them as possible.  It is lovely to find out how they are all getting on and what they are doing.  I have still a few more to contact.

Tuesday 5 May 2020

Welcome to the fifth week of school lockdown.  I hope you are all keeping well and remaining safe.  After the last few weeks of closure, talk has now begun on when and how we may reopen in the future.  Obviously we are waiting for clarity from government, but please be reassured that when that arrives we will consider our options and keep you all updated.  Please watch this space.

This week we would have been saying goodbye to Year 11 and wishing them well in their up-and-coming examinations.  Sadly, this cannot happen, and so instead I have written separately to Year 11 to say that we are thinking of them at this time.  We look forward to welcoming many back in September and wish those who are leaving MGS the best in their futures.

Preliminary work has begun on the all-weather pitch project.  Archaeologists are on site investigating what is directly beneath the surface of the field, and will be on site for the next few days.  We wait to hear their findings before moving on to the next stage.  

Congratulations to Harvey Eldred of Year 10 who, with his family, ran 10 x 2.6km laps of Leybourne village to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association's Mid-Kent Branch.  Harvey ran solo laps or as a pair, and on the last lap some of the neighbours joined in to finish the challenge with him. He had amazing support from family, friends and neighbours, with the whole community cheering him on as he ran by each and every front garden.  He raised £1730.  Well done Harvey.  If you would like to show your support, please click on the link. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lynne-carl-and-harvey-s-2-6-challenge

And finally, thank you still to the staff for their continued and collective efforts at this time.  It has been pleasing and humbling to see.  Thank you.