Tuesday 31 January 2023

I write this blog from Boston, Massachusetts whilst accompanying 24 students at the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  Once again, the experience of attending such an event was truly incredible. The students debated world issues on a world stage with 4000 other students from across 60+ other countries. It was an absolute pleasure seeing them do their thing; an experience they will never forget.  Thank you to Mrs Van Mol for organising the trip and supporting the students over the last four months, and thank you to Miss Alloy for joining us both.

Continuing my thanks, I wish to also thank members of the Senior Leadership Team for looking after MGS whilst I was away, and Mr Hughes, Miss Dimmick and College House for organising last week’s charity day.  Even though I could not attend, the day went extremely well, which included Mr Hughes running 30 miles on a treadmill - helping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.  Thank you College House and well done Mr Hughes.

This week we look ahead to February and LGBTQ+ History Month.  Throughout February we will be flying the rainbow flag on top of the gatehouse as well as putting on a number of events to raise the profile of this very important issue.  It all begins with my assemblies highlighting the history behind the Month.  

On Friday we see the return of the February Parents’ Association Quiz Night.  Due to Covid we had to cancel the 2021 one, and last year the event moved to the summer.  Once again I am quizmaster, and this year’s theme is the number 10.  Do come along.  Doors open at 7pm, with the quiz starting at 7.30pm.

 

Tuesday 24 January 2023

Hello there, Mr Hanratty here.

I am delighted to be the guest author of the Headmaster's blog this week. As you may already know, the Headmaster is attending the prestigious Harvard Model United Nations Conference in Boston, where 24 of our senior students are representing MGS and also have the honour of representing Ukraine at the event. This is a remarkable achievement for the school, as we are the only UK school attending the conference, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff.

While the conference is the main focus of the trip, students and staff are also taking the opportunity to explore New York. They will be experiencing American culture and immersing themselves in the diverse and vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Do follow our social media feeds for updates and photos from the trip.

Congratulations to our Senior 1^st XI Football Squad who made history last week by winning the East Kent Premier Division with a game in hand, and going undefeated all season! This is a remarkable achievement that showcases the talent, determination and teamwork of the players, and the support and guidance of our PE Department, and their coach Mr Hughes. This victory is the first in over a decade for the school, and has made the entire school community proud of their achievement.

Last week's Post 16 Open Evening and Open Mornings were a great success. Our sixth form prefects went above and beyond in their roles as tour guides and representatives of the school, and Amelia L (Y12 Tonbridge House) and Lucy S (Y13 College House) did themselves and the school proud in their presentations to our guests at the Open Evening. It is not easy speaking to such large audiences and both Amelia and Lucy did a great job! The events truly highlighted the strong sense of community that exists within the school, and it was inspiring to hear our students and staff speak with pride and passion about the school. These events remind us of why MGS is such a special and unique place to study and work.

Last week, several of our scheduled football and basketball fixtures were postponed. Outside of our Senior 1^st XI Football Squad’s historic 3-2 win against Norton Knatchbull Grammar School, our U14A side had a 3-2 loss against Oakwood Park Grammar School in the Kent Cup and our U15A side had a 1-0 loss in a friendly against Skinner's School. This week, our U15A basketball side has a friendly against NTC, our U16A basketball side has a friendly against Beth's Grammar School, our 2^nd XI side has a league match against Aylesford School, our 1^st XV side has a friendly against Ravens Wood School and the U15A football side has a Kent Cup match against Holmesdale Technical College. Good luck to all those participating in fixtures this week! 

This Friday, College House is organising a Charity Day event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The event will feature a cake sale, a re-gifting shop stall, a teacher talent show, and a non-uniform day. Additionally, our Head of College House, Mr Hughes, will be attempting to run 30 miles on a treadmill in Piccadilly on Friday to raise funds. He will also be participating in the London Marathon to support the cause. The school community is excited for this upcoming event and is looking forward to raising money for a good cause.

Tomorrow is an important date for our Year 13 students as it marks the UCAS application deadline. This serves as a reminder of how quickly the academic year is progressing and how soon the exam season will be upon us. Our school motto, ‘Olim Meminisse Juvabit’, reminds us that the hard work put in now will pay off in the future when students look back on their time here. As the exams approach, it is crucial for students to stay focused and motivated, knowing that the outcome will be worth it in the end.

Do have a read of next week’s blog, in which the Headmaster will share his experiences and insights from the Harvard trip. Until then, take care and have a good week.

Tuesday 17 January 2023

Firstly, congratulations to Corpus Christi netball players who won last week’s Inter-House Mixed Netball Competition.  There was a fantastic turnout for the competition, with all four houses well represented and over 35 sixth form students taking part.  Many of the students had never played netball before, but learned quickly and gave their all for their team.  It was also pleasing to see many supporters, lining the court and giving encouragement to those playing, after school had finished. 

Last week we received some pleasing news after an application we made to the Woodland Trust for some new tree saplings.  We have been given 30 new tree and hedge saplings that will help contribute to our green agenda as well as improve the aesthetics of the school site.  We will receive them in March and look to galvanise the students to help plant them.

This week the Year 10 exams, that started last week, continue.  These exams are not only helping the students, parents and us understand where the students are, they also illustrate to the students how examinations work and what the regulations are.  So far, so good.

The main feature of this week is the Post 16 Open Evening, which takes place on Thursday, and the accompanying Post 16 Open Mornings, taking place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  At these events we will be welcoming our own year 11 students and parents as well as many other students and their families from other schools to see if they wish to consider MGS for the sixth form.  The open mornings are appointment only, but the evening event is open door.  Doors open at 4.30pm.

Finally, good luck to the Senior 1^st XI Football Squad who play Norton Knatchbull School in the Kent league on Wednesday.  The game is away, and if they win, we win the Kent league for the first time for over 10 years.  Best wishes to the players and to their coach, Mr Hughes.

Tuesday 10 January 2023

Happy New Year and welcome to my first blog of 2023.  I hope you all had a good Christmas and a well-deserved break.

We returned last week to a three-day week and the tail end of the formal Christmas period.  Normally we look forward to the year ahead and have Christmas behind us, but with the need to postpone the Christmas meal that many students purchased to enjoy in December, the start of the new term had a festive element to it.  It was so good seeing the students enjoy their meals together and wearing their Christmas Crowns, even if it was January.  Thank you to Cucina, our food provider, for putting on a good spread.

Last week we also saw the 1^st XI senior football squad beat Harvey Grammar School 6 - 1 to produce a deciding match against Norton Knatchbull next week to determine who wins the Kent league. The squad has had an excellent season to date, not losing a match in nine games, and so excitement is brewing because MGS has not won the senior league for over 10 years. Good luck boys.

Friday last week we welcomed over 30 families into the school at the first Post 16 Open Evening. Our own sixth form students guided the families around the school to see a typical day at MGS. Three more open mornings take place next week.

Finally this week, year 10 students complete a set of examinations that mark halfway in their GCSE studies. We wish them all well.