Tuesday 25 April 2023

Yesterday we welcomed back the year 12 geographers and geography staff who had been away in Dorset for four days last week completing their A Level geography fieldwork.  From memory of my own geography fieldwork, I hope they managed to gather all the information they needed, and did not get too wet collecting it.

At the weekend a small number of students from years 10 and 11 took part in the DofE Silver Practice Expedition in and around the Tunbridge Wells and Ashdown Forest area.  They had an enjoyable few days and learnt a few things in preparation for their assessed expedition later in the year.  Thank you to Ms Adams and Ms Alloy for supporting them all.

On Wednesday this week we welcome the parents of our new Maidstonians who will be joining MGS in September.  The Year 6 Welcome Evening is the beginning of the transition from primary school to MGS, and so we look forward to welcoming the boys and their parents at the start of their seven-year journey.  Also at that event it has become customary to welcome in the new prefect team who will lead the student body for the next 12 months.  Rafe and Jess, the new school captain and school vice-captain, will officially begin their roles after Ethan and Sam, the current incumbents, ring HMS Maidstone’s Bell signifying the end of their 12-month tenure.  I am sure there will be a few tears.

In contrast to the Year 6 Welcome Evening, on Thursday this week we begin the process of saying goodbye to our oldest Maidstonians as they move to become Old Maidstonians.  Year 13 will be gathered together for the official leavers’ photograph: a photograph that I am sure many will want to cherish.  Following this photograph, and over the next couple of weeks, there will be an assembly to talk about becoming an Old Maidstonian as well as Leavers’ Day itself, when we officially say goodbye to the cohort.  But, before these students really step into their new lives, there is the small matter of their A Level examinations!

Finally, I would like to congratulate Mr Hughes, head of College House, who successfully completed the London Marathon at the weekend in a time of 4 hours and 7 minutes in support of the British Heart Foundation.  Well done Mr Hughes.

Tuesday 18 April 2023

HM Blog - Tuesday 18 April 2023

Welcome to the first blog of the new term; I hope you all had a good Easter break and that you were able to dodge the many April showers that we experienced.

Before I look ahead to this week, I just want to update you with a couple of pieces of charity news that we received right at the end of the term, to acknowledge the three wonderful performances of Shrek: The Musical, and to reflect on the funeral for Harrison, which took place on Wednesday 12 April. 

On Friday 17 March, we had a charity day to acknowledge both Comic Relief and Maidstone Mind.  Across the day, we raised over £1700, which will now be divided equally between the two charities.  As well as this, on Wednesday 29 March, we staged a staff vs. students touch rugby match to help raise more money for the British Heart Foundation.  Just at that one event we raised over £150, which will now be added to the money that we raised on the charity day back in January when Mr Hughes, head of College House, ran 30 miles during the day.  Thank you to everyone who supported both the charity day and the rugby match. 

In performing arts news, I wish to thank the cast and crew for putting on three glorious performances of Shrek: The Musical.  Over 70 students and staff were involved with this year’s production, and what we got on those three nights in March was truly amazing.  Thank you to everyone who came along to support, and thank you Mrs Brooks and Mr Bourne for leading the cast and crew since September.  A big thumbs up from the MGS community.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the very sad day last week of Harrison’s funeral.  Over 40 members of the MGS community joined Harrison’s family and friends to pay tribute to Harrison and to remember his life.  I was so proud to see fellow Maidstonians embrace and offer support of each other, and show Harrison’s family that Harrison was a popular and kind young man who will be sadly missed.  A memorial assembly will be taking place next week.

This week we see the return of the Easter Ski Trip and Easter Classics Trip and the departure of a number of geographers from Year 12 who are going on the Geography Field Trip.  I hope the skiers return with no injuries and that the geographers have good weather to complete their fieldwork.