Tuesday 20 July 2022

Welcome to my last blog of the 2021-22 academic year and one that I am writing during a red weather warning.  Temperatures in school today will probably reach 40^oC: a temperature never experienced before in the UK let alone at MGS.  Like the last two years of the pandemic have taught me, and which I mentioned in my speech at the Lower School Speech Day last Friday, we humans adapt to what is put in front of us, and so this mini heatwave we are experiencing is just one more obstacle to deal with, and deal with it we will. 

This week, as well trying to stay as cool as possible, we hopefully are going to be enjoying Sports Day: a day that we have not had since 2019.  We hope the temperatures drop enough after today to allow the entire school community to be outside and compete in their houses to try to win the MGS Sports Day Cup.  Fingers crossed.

Finally, I would like to thank the entire school community for another successful year at MGS.  It continues to be an absolute pleasure being the headmaster, and being in the company of so many fine Maidstonians.  Get a rest, have a wonderful holiday, and we will see each other in September.

Tuesday 12 July 2022

Firstly, I would like to thank the members of staff who led and supported the numerous activities during last week’s Extended Learning Week.  The theme of the week, following two years of being stuck indoors, was MGS Outside, and so seeing hundreds of Maidstonians being allowed to be children once more was wonderful.  I hope they all had a great time.

As we approach the summer holiday, this week is a busy one.  Yesterday we welcomed parents of Year 8 into the school to attend a newly created event that acknowledged the two years their sons had been at MGS.  Sadly, due to the pandemic, yesterday was the first time many of them had actually stepped foot into the school, so having them all together and hearing from us was a good thing to do.  Thank you all for coming.

Tomorrow we formally say goodbye to Year 13 at the Year 13 Leavers’ Prom, which this year is being held at Leeds Castle.  The weather is looking to be glorious, so it will be nice to see the leaving Maidstonians in their finest in the early evening sun.

On Friday we acknowledge the founding of the School at our Founders’ Day Church Service, and celebrate a number of academic achievements of years 7 to 10 at our Lower School Speech Day.  We have not been able to do this since 2019, so it will be good once again to bring the whole school community together to recognise an important day.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know in 1888 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded a Doctorate of Music to Mr. Henniker (the master who wrote the music to the school song).  And, after 134 years, we are still singing it.

5 July 2022

I wish to begin this week’s blog by saying how proud I am of the MGS Parents’ Association for being awarded first prize at the recent National PTA Awards.  Huge congratulations to the PA, and to Sarah Hudson who has led the PA for a number of years.  Great job!

Last Thursday we welcomed back to MGS Oli and Billy Leyland (Old Maidstonians from 2019 and 2021).  The two brothers, accompanied by London Broncos Rugby League Club, returned to their Kent roots to coach a number of our own senior rugby players.  Meridian TV was also in attendance to capture the training session and speak to a number of our players.  The players thoroughly enjoyed picking up a rugby ball once more and being in the company of two fine Maidstonians.  Thank you to Mr Ferguson, Mr Saunders, London Broncos, and of course Oli and Billy.

In other Old Maidstonian news, Daniel Jones (OM 2017) and Oliver Evans (OM 2018) both rowed at last week’s prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.  Oli competed for Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club in the Thames Cup, and Dan competed in the Double Sculls Challenge Cup for Leeds Rowing Club.  Sadly they both got knocked out in their respective first rounds, but to qualify for Henley is an achievement in itself.  Well done gents.

This week is Extended Learning Week, which we have not been able to run since 2019.  Years 7 to 9 are taking part in a range of activities from walking in the Kent countryside to outdoor photography, whilst years 10 and 12 are completing valuable work experience to help them better prepare themselves for the world ahead.  I look forward to hearing how it all went when the students return to school next week.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know in 1895 the annual river picnic organised by the headmaster's wife was held at the Chequers, Teston.  The whole school travelling to the site in boats. Also, in 1895, the whole school was invited to the Mayor's garden party along with all the girls from the Girls Grammar School.