Firstly, I wish to congratulate Callum and Thomas of Year 12 who at the weekend competed in the Oxford University Schools Debating Finals 2022. Although we have had some success with Cambridge debating, this is the first time Maidstone Grammar School has qualified for the Oxford Competition Final. With 210 students competing from four different continents, it was the largest in-person debating competition in the world to be held since the start of the pandemic. Callum and Thomas did incredibly well, placing 66th of 105 schools, narrowly missing out on the Novice Championship in a competition predominantly populated by the world’s leading private schools. Thomas and Callum did an incredible job in representing the school and have now cut a path for future Maidstonians to follow. The Oxford Speaking Union is a famed training ground for future Prime Ministers… you never know!
Also at the weekend 10 cadets from the CCF Army Section took part in a Military Skills Competition with 25 other sections from schools and ACF in the South East of England. The competition was demanding and MGS performed well in many areas, finishing 10th overall. Well done cadets, and thank you to the staff who accompanied them
Each day this week a different inter-house sporting competition is taking place to generate some friendly house rivalry as well as win some all-important house points. My event, rowing, is taking place on Thursday. Thank you to everyone taking part and for Mr Highsted for organising.
Today, a company called Meducators is in school working with our aspiring medics from years 10 to 13. This is the first time we have run such a day and we hope that the students find it helpful in understanding more about their aspirations.
On Wednesday we are inviting students and their parents into the school to attend the MGS Careers Evening. Over 20 different industries will be on site making short presentations to those students who are interested in that respective career. Thank you to all the presenters, some of whom are Old Maidstonians, and thank you to Mr Rivers for organising.
On Friday we are acknowledging Comic Relief as well as the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Students will be asked to donate £2 on the gate to come to school in non-uniform as well as be invited to take part in other activities that are taking place. The 'must see' event is a staff vs. student touch rugby match that will be taking place on the all-weather pitch at lunch. Good luck to everyone.
And finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know, in 1828, the year that the first electric motor was made, MGS was already 279 years old and had its 25th headmaster? One year later, in 1829, the first police force was established.
