Today’s date, March 23 2021, marks exactly one year since MGS went into its first lockdown. Back on Friday 20 March 2020, I said goodbye to the entire school not knowing what the future would hold. One year later, and after two significant lockdowns, life at MGS is still very different. So much has happened over the last year, but overwhelming, I can say that it has been one of the proudest moments of my career, and I expect one of the proudest moments in the life of Maidstone Grammar School. When the time came, we did right!
Looking specifically at the last two weeks of the last 12 months, I would like to thank the entire MGS Lateral Flow Test Team for the enormous efforts that were collectively given, particularly to the 28 parent volunteers who supported MGS at this very challenging time. Testing over 1200 students, three times each, was no small task. But, last Friday signalled the end of the school-based tests and the start of tests being carried out at home. Our responsibility does not end there though. The distribution of home test kits will now go on, and we will continue to be here responding to any positive cases and completing the process of tracking and tracing any contacts when required.
Outside of coronavirus matters, on Friday we saw the return of an MGS charity day: acknowledging the national Comic Relief campaign. Students were once again enjoying being in school in non-uniform, buying Comic Relief-themed cakes, and taking part in numerous activities. The highlight for me was listening to a group of year 11 students singing along to a Rick Astley song during our MGS FM broadcast. A big thank you to the Year 13 Prefect Team who led the organisation, and thank you to everyone who supported the day.
Now some student news. Two teams of Year 12 Business students recently competed in a national entrepreneurship competition hosted by Lancaster University Management School. Up against schools from across the UK they presented their business plans, focusing on achieving their prescribed UN Sustainable Development Goals. A tough group stage saw one MGS team knocked out, but the remaining group advanced to the final six, where they presented and answered questions from a panel of industry experts & university "entrepreneurs in residence." A strong performance was not enough to win first place, but the team came away with the Student Choice Award for Best Presentation. Well done to all participants, especially Sam Croucher and Euan Board, both of Year 12, for leading the two teams so effectively.
To end, and on the request of a few Year 13 students, I would like to share with you all my on-going chess game I am having with Mr Rivers, the Head of Sixth Form. Over Christmas, I received a chess set as a present and so I set it up in my office. On return to school on Monday 4 January, Mr Rivers walked into my office and decided to open up a game and so moved one of the white pawns forward. Game on, I thought! Since that point the two of us have been making, on average, one move each, per day. Nine weeks later the game is still going on! For those of you who are interested, I am up on points, have Mr Rivers in check, but still believe the game is equally poised. One day we will finish it!
