Tuesday 19 October 2021

I cannot believe we are already approaching half term.  It does not seem we have been at school for seven weeks.  The term has continued to be a good one, and one where we have seen life return to MGS.  Only on Saturday were we able to welcome many parents and visitors on site to enjoy the annual rugby fixture against Cranbrook School.  With it being the last game before the half term we made it more of an event, offering refreshments and conversation after the games.  A huge thank you to the players, staff, parents, and Old Maidstonians who made it an enjoyable day.

As well as the rugby at the weekend I also wish to thank the performers, staff and parents who supported the Autumn Showcase last week.  It was the first live concert for nearly two years and was full of high quality talent that has been eager to shine for a very long time.  Well done to everyone, and thank you to Mrs Brooks and Mr Bourne for hosting.

Today we again open our doors to the wider community and welcome families of prospective students to see the school at work at our Year 6 Open Morning.  Last Friday, at our first open morning, we were incredibly busy, so I am sure today will be no different.  The week of open events culminates on Thursday when we welcome everyone in again at our Year 6 Open Evening.  At that event the entire school will be open to walk around, see the many exhibitions that we put on, as well as hearing from me about what life is like at MGS.  As always the people who sell MGS are the students; they are a credit to their school as well as to themselves, and are our ambassadors.  Thank you to everyone who will be helping.

And finally congratulations to Oliver of Tonbridge House who competed in two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions at the weekend: The Somerset Open and The All Stars Welsh Pro.  He successfully won two golds and a silver medal in No Gi and Gi, competing against some of the top children in the country.  Well done Oliver.

Tuesday 12 October 2021

This week we reach a time when we can again open our doors to the wider school community. 

Last night we welcomed parents of year 9 students to attend the postponed Year 9 Information Evening.  Due to the fuel shortages a couple of weeks ago it was wise to postpone the event so as not to ask parents to make an unnecessary journey at that time.  With car petrol tanks replenished it was good to run the event last night.  We hope the evening was useful.

On Thursday, we welcome parents and friends of the school in to enjoy the Autumn Showcase.  Led by the Performing Arts department a host of players and performers will entertain the audience with their talents.  The evening starts at 6.30pm and will take place in room 95.

And on Friday we are holding our Year 6 Open Morning: a chance for boys in years 5 and 6 accompanied by their parents to see the school at work and decide whether they wish to come to MGS in the future.  Sadly, we were not able to host such an event, so we are delighted that we can, this year, have it return.

Tuesday 5 October 2021

I start my blog this week by acknowledging three members of staff.  Firstly, Mr Seymour who on Saturday 25^th September undertook the Chiltern 50 Walking Challenge.  He crossed the finish line in 10 hours and 1 minute and in the process raised over £1400 for Breast Cancer Now, in memory of his friend Amy, an ex Head Girl at MGGS, who recently passed away after a 12-week battle with breast cancer.  At the weekend, two members of staff completed the London Marathon, Mr Ferguson finished in 6 hours 23 minutes supporting Racing Welfare, a charity that supports injured jockeys and Mr Sparkes finished in 5 hours 53 minutes supporting Make A Wish. Well done to all. 

I continue with my blog by acknowledging two Old Maidstonians who visited the school last week.  Both were visiting relatives in the area and so wanted to see their old school again.  One of gentlemen left in 1971, and the other in 1954.  Both had fond memories to share, tales to tell, and were able to find their names on the honours board that hang in our school hall.  What was even more incredible was that the gentleman who left in 1971 was able to tell us that his father served on HMS Maidstone and was responsible for donating the ship’s bell that hangs in our lobby.  What an amazing link to have with MGS!

Last week we also had some new display put up around the school.  As part of our revised vision, we are complementing our established Inspire to Learn agenda with our new Inspire to Belong agenda.  These two pillars are the foundations of all that we do, and so the new displays around the school raise the profile of what we do and illustrates to everyone what our intent is.

This week I am out of school for two days attending the annual Grammar Schools Heads Association.  Each year the headteachers of all the grammar schools across the country meet in London to share their ideas, learn about new developments, and offer support to each other.  It is a vital source of professional friendship.

In addition, this week we welcome year 7 parents to attend their respective house welcome events.  On Wednesday, we welcome Barton and Tonbridge houses, and on Thursday, it is the turn of College and Corpus Christi.  During each evening parents will meet each other, meet house staff and senior students, have a tour of the school by their son, and hear from key senior staff about the year ahead.  We are delighted to be hosting such events considering not being able to do so for such a long time.

And finally, congratulations to the 1^st XV rugby squad who beat King’s Rochester in the second round of the National Cup.  Well done gents.