Tuesday 28 March 2023

Welcome to the last blog of the Spring Term. 

This week, to end the term with a bang, we are going to enjoy three performances of this year’s production of Shrek: The Musical.  Over 70 students, supported by a number of members of staff, have been working hard since September to be in the position this week to stage the production.  This is one the biggest cast and crew team MGS has put together, so a huge thank you to Mrs Brooks and Mr Bourne for leading the entire ensemble.  Good luck and break a leg.

As well as Shrek this week, we are also staging a staff vs students sport event that will see old and young legs compete against each other for the most important prize: bragging rights!  Students always relish members of staff making a fool of themselves, so some unfit bodies running round the all-weather pitch one day this week will certainly give the students something to laugh about.  Thank you to my colleagues who have offered to take part.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed three events where we saw Old Maidstonians return to their school.  On Friday, the Hall was packed with over 70 former students who enjoyed an evening of good food and company at the annual Old Maidstonian Supper.  This was then followed the next day with the Old Maidstonain Sports Day: a day where former and current students enjoy the company of each other, playing either football or rugby together.  Then on Monday, we welcomed last year’s Year 13 to receive their A Level certificates at the A Level Certificate Presentation Evening.  It is always good having former students return to their school.

Finally, after another rewarding term, I wish you all a pleasant Spring break.

Tuesday 21 March 2023

It has been humbling to see how the MGS community has pulled together since hearing the news of the tragic death of a fellow Maidstonian last week. Our focus over the last 10 days has been to support each other and ourselves as we all come to terms with what happened. People have phenomenal capacity, and that has been evident all around the school.

Last Friday was another example of this, when we held a charity day to acknowledge Comic Relief. It was decided this year to split the money between Comic Relief and Maidstone Mind; and during the day sixth form students took park in a 300km rowathon as well as selling hundreds of cakes to the hungry masses. Thank you to everyone who took park and helped organise the day.

Last Friday we also welcomed back an Old Maidstonian who left here in 1978. He had kindly supported the resourcing of the new MFL department - a project that was completed last summer. His support at that time was greatly appreciated; it has already gone a long way to make a positive impact on the teaching of languages at MGS. Thank you.

At the weekend a number of the Royal Navy cadets had a wonderful time at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.  Whilst there they were trained to run a field gun, took small boats out onto the River Dart, learnt life-saving and man over board techniques in the pool, played water polo, and performed PLT’s on the low rope course.  Thank you to Mr Pinn and Miss Alloy for accompanying the cadets.

This week parents of year 13 students get to hear how their children are getting on at the Year 13 Parents' Evening. It is just under two months before the A Level examinations begin, so this parents' evening is an opportunity to hear what now needs to be done during this final push. 

Finally, this week, we welcome more Old Maidstonians back to MGS to attend the annual Old Maidstonian Supper. It takes place on Friday 24 March in the Big Hall, and is always a lovely occasion when seeing former students return to their old school to reconnect with one another. Shared memories, familiar faces, good food and the singing of the School Song will all be enjoyed throughout the evening.

Tuesday 14 March 2023

We started the week with the sad news of the death of a member of our school community.  The entire school has been deeply saddened by the sudden death of a fellow Maidstonian, and our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family and friends at this time. 

On other matters, on Tuesday and Wednesday this week we will be interviewing for of a new deputy head.  Mr R Ferguson will be leaving MGS at the end of the academic year to take up his first headship position, and so over the last couple of weeks we have been in the process of finding his replacement.  That process ends this week as we interview the shortlisted candidates and hopefully appoint.  With a deputy head position it is important to gauge a variety of views, so joining me in the interview process will be a number of governors, staff and of course, students.  Thank you to everyone who is taking part in the process.

On Friday, MGS will be supporting Comic Relief in the usual way.  Students and staff will be allowed to dress down for the day; cakes will be sold throughout the day made by a team of students; and the prefect teams of Year 12 and Year 13 will be competing against each other in an all-day rowathon.  Thank you in advance to everyone who will be supporting the day.

Tuesday 7 March 2023

This week it is the turn of Year 9 to complete a set of examinations. After six months of studying for their GCSEs, it is a good time for Year 9 to understand where they are and what they need to be doing going forward. Good luck Year 9. 

Tomorrow is the Year 11 Parents' Evening.  Following the Year 11 mock examinations a couple of weeks ago it is a chance for the parents to hear about how their children are getting on and what they now need to do in these last few weeks of school. I am sure the evening will be a positive one for many; but I am also sure it will be a nudge for others!

Congratulations once again to the senior hockey squad who won their fourth consecutive match last week against a tough Langley School, maintaining their 100% record this season. Good job everyone. 

On Sunday, a few of the RAF cadets took part in the final of the prestigious RAF Air Squadron Trophy. In the past we have won the trophy, so the expectations on the cadets were high. Sadly the cadets did not place, but they did come second in the Command Task, being beaten by only one point.  Thank you to the staff who supported the cadets.

Over the last few weeks, the rugby players have been returning to school after doing well at the numerous Rugby 7s tournaments that take place this time of year. Beating schools such as Dartford Grammar School and The Judd School are significant wins, and are examples that illustrate how MGS Rugby has progressed over the last few years. Well done to everyone involved, and good luck to the senior players who take part in the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s im a couple of weeks.

Finally, I had the absolute pleasure last week in inviting Rafe Lamb and Jessica Riedl to be next year's school captain and school vice-captain. After a rigorous application and interview process, involving 25 applicants and eight shortlisted candidates, these two students demonstrated the qualities that were need to do well in the roles. Congratulations to them both, and well done to the other six shortlisted candidates who did themselves proud.