Welcome back to school and to the start of Term 5; I hope you have all had a well-deserved break. I hope the Easter break provided a chance to catch up with friends and family as well as provide an opportunity to enjoy elements of the lifting of some lockdown restrictions. Sadly, on Friday 9 April we received the news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Union Flag was flown at half-mast on top of the School Gatehouse throughout the eight-day period of mourning. Our thoughts have been with HM The Queen and the rest of The Royal Family during this very sad time.
We return to school this week with two weeks of exams for Year 13. Just like the exams for Year 11 before the Easter break, these exams will form an important part of how we as a school assess the students for their final examination grade. Best of luck to Year 13. Year 13 now have only five weeks before they leave MGS. Over that time they will complete these exams, complete any other final assessments that are required, and prepare themselves for their leavers’ day, which will be on Friday 21 May. The last day for Year 13 is always an emotional day as many students form a connection to MGS that is very special. Let us not wish those five weeks away!
To contrast, Year 11 have only three weeks remaining. Their last weeks will also include any final assessments that are required as well as their own leavers’ day. Many students from Year 11 will return to the sixth form, but after the year they have had, I am sure emotions will be high. Year 11 leave on Friday 7 May.
Speaking of Year 11, today after school the Year 11 Inter-House Football Tournament takes place. We have already seen years 12 and 13 complete theirs, so tonight it is Year 11’s chance to show us what they are made of. Good luck to the players and thank you to the PE Department for arranging.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the English Department and Ms Wilson for leading on our Read to Succeed campaign. The campaign’s main agenda is to promote the love of reading across the school - part of it being a number of members of staff videoing themselves talking about their favourite book or making a book recommendation to the students. Thank you to the staff who have contributed and to Ms Wilson for leading on the campaign.
