Tuesday 23 May 2023

Hello, Mr Hanratty here.

Although it's the final week of term, there have been no signs of things slowing down as we approach the end. Take a moment to read about many of the exciting events that have taken place at MGS since my last blog post and leading up to the end of term.

Firstly, I wish to express admiration for the maturity and conscientious approach Year 11 and 13 students demonstrated during their GCSE and A-Level exams last week. We've been impressed by their conduct and wish them success as they continue their exams.

Yesterday, Mr Highway and the CCF team launched their recruitment process for Year 8 students to join the CCF - the largest and oldest co-curricular activity at MGS, spanning over 100 years. Our students are always eager to sign up each year, and Year 8 were no exception. The early numbers suggest that we are on track for large contingents again in Year 9 next academic year. It is great to see so many of your students serving their community in this way.

While on the subject of the CCF, we are delighted to share that our Army section won Gold at the recent Cambrian Patrol competition held last weekend. The MGS CCF team showcased a display of grit and determination, securing themselves one of the few prestigious Gold Awards presented at the event. The Cambrian Patrol, is the premier cadet competition and is based in the Brecon Beacons, the birthplace of the infantry, with a prime objective of testing cadets both physically and mentally. With teams from all over the UK competing against each other, the standards are high and demanding, and we are incredibly proud of our team's outstanding performance. Well done to all.

This week, Year 8 completes their End of Year Exams in lessons, marking their final chance to showcase their academic progress since Year 7, before they start their GCSE courses in September. We wish them the best in their exams.

In terms of career development, this Thursday, Year 10 students will receive a briefing from Mid Kent College about Post 16 options and careers during their assembly. This event complements our Careers Programme, which equips students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for succeeding in the world of work.

Similarly, our Year 9 students benefited from last week's Business Challenge, which culminated in them pitching innovative ideas and solutions to business leaders. We thank the local businesses that partnered with our students to complete this challenge: The Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Maidstone Community Support Centre, Golding Homes, Fusion Maidstone HLC, and Mid Kent Mind. We also thank Alison Temple from Firebird Training for organising the event. Congratulations to the winners of this challenge: Ben W, Theo V B, Ethan W, and Sebastian F, all from Year 9 Corpus Christi House. Their Business Partner for this activity was Julie Herbert from Golding Homes. Well done to all.

Adding to our co-curricular activities, a Year 10 Theatre trip to Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End is scheduled for tomorrow. Such trips enrich our curriculum, often bringing to life the lessons learned in class.

On a different note, this Friday not only marks the end of term but also a non-uniform day, with a theme of "Wear something green" in support of Mental Health Foundation Awareness Week. Tonbridge House continues to lead on mental health awareness throughout May, building on our efforts from April's Autism Awareness Month. These events form an integral part of our curriculum, helping us to promote understanding and inclusivity.

We're also delighted to announce that Cucina has successfully retained the school meal contract for another three years, following a highly competitive tender process.

In relation to sport, congratulations to Daniel Jones (Old Maidstonian 2017) who has been selected to row for Great Britain at this Thursday's and Friday’s European Championships in Slovenia in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls. Since leaving MGS, Dan has actively continued with his love of the sport, rowing at university as well as training with the GB squad in Scotland. We are delighted for him and wish him well.

In relation to last week's sports fixtures, several matches played out with varying results. On Tuesday, our U14A football team put on an impressive performance, securing a 4-1 win in a friendly against Aylesford School. The following day, our Cricket 1st X1 played a friendly against The Canterbury Academy but, unfortunately, they weren't able to secure a victory.

Reflecting on last week’s County Athletics Championship, MGS placed a commendable 6th overall. Some of the standouts from the day include: Noah S (Y8 Corpus Christi House) placing 2nd in the Junior Shotput, Theo R (Y10 Corpus Christi House) winning the 800m inter-race, and Alan B (Year 10 Corpus Christi House) placing 3rd in the 1500m inter-race. Both our junior and inter 4 x100m relay teams came second in their respective races. Well done to all.

Looking ahead to this week's fixtures, today we have a cricket match between our U13A side and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School at 2.30pm. Also this evening, our U14A football side will take part in the District Cup Football Final against Oakwood Park Grammar School, with an 6.30pm start at The Gallagher Stadium. Good luck to the staff and team, and fingers crossed for what is no doubt going to be an exciting final. Tomorrow, we will host a friendly cricket match between our 1st XI and Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School at 2pm, a U12A cricket match against Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in the Kent Plate, as well as an athletics meet featuring MGS Year 9 & 10 against Oakwood Park Grammar School at 2pm.

As I said at the start, there’s lots going on, and we wish our staff and students a restful break when they break for Half Term on Friday. Staff return for term 6 on Monday 5th June for Inset training, while students return on Tuesday 6th. In Term 6, GCSE and A-Level exams will continue alongside Year 7 exams, welcome events for next year’s Year 7 students, Extended Learning Week, UCAS Day, Induction Days for Year 6 and prospective Sixth Form students, and Sports Day, amongst many other exciting events. Until then, I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful break and some sunshine.

 Mr Hanratty

Tuesday 16 May 2023

Hello there, Mr Hanratty here. I will be the guest writer for the Headmaster's Blog for the next few weeks and I look forward to updating you on life here at MGS during this busy exam season. Yesterday marked the formal start of GCSE and A Level exams. The first one up was Year 11's GCSE Religious Studies Paper 1. After years of preparation, the time has come for Year 11 and Year 13 to show the world what they are truly capable of. We have every confidence in their abilities and know they will do their best. We wish Year 11 and Year 13 all the very best in their final preparations and look forward to celebrating their achievements on Results Day in August.

Last Friday, Year 13 donned their MGS uniforms once more, sparking nostalgia and marking their Leavers' Day. Celebrations included a Quad BBQ, photos, and heartfelt goodbyes. Year 11 also said their goodbyes last Tuesday. Both year groups sang the school song for the final time as year groups in their respective assemblies and there were tears.

The Year 8 End of Year Exams commence next week, in lessons. The boys are making their final preparations both in lessons and at home. This is the last opportunity for Year 8 to demonstrate how much they have learned and how far they have come since Year 7 and before they start their GCSE courses in September. We wish Year 8 the very best in their final preparations for the End of Year Exams.

Yesterday, our Year 12 students returned to school after two weeks of UCAS exams and study leave. They are now the most senior students in the school, and those that younger year groups will look up to as role models. Year 12 students have all the potential to be great leaders and sources of inspiration for the other year groups. I’m confident that they will lead the way. Yes, they have big shoes to fill in the absence of Year 13, but I know they will carve their own path and lead with pride as the oldest students at the school. They have shown resilience and commitment throughout the year, and I have no doubt they will step up to the challenge and set a fantastic example for the Lower School.

Starting tomorrow and for the rest of the week, all Year 9 students will be off timetable to engage in a Business Challenge Activity, organised in conjunction with the Firebird Training organisation. They will work in teams with local business partners who will set them a business challenge.

We have several exciting sports fixtures lined up this week. Today, our U14A football team will be facing off against Aylesford School at 2.30pm. Tomorrow is packed with activities - first with athletics where our Year 7 & 8 team is competing against Oakwood Park Grammar School, and our Year 7 to 11 team is competing against Tonbridge. The day will be capped off with a 2.30pm cricket match between our 1st XI and The Canterbury Academy. On Thursday, our U13B cricket team will play against Maplesden Noakes School's at 3.30pm. To round off the week, on Friday our 1st XI cricket team will compete against Kings Rochester at 4pm.

Reflecting on last week's fixtures, our 1st XI cricket team played a friendly match against Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School on Wednesday, though we didn't secure a win. A massive congratulations to our Year 10 football squad for Thursday night’s 2-1 win against Aylesford School in the District Cup Final at the Gallagher Stadium. Alan B (Year 10 Corpus Christi House) delivered an outstanding performance to be named Man of the Match. We're extremely proud of this achievement and I’m sure there are many more to come for these players.

As we progress through these busy weeks of exams, we remind our students about the importance of self-care and mutual support. We hold pride in each one of our students, and we're confident they will do their best in their exams. If you have the opportunity, do encourage them and remind them of their capabilities. After all, they've got this!

Mr Hanratty

Tuesday 9 May 2023

This week year 12 students continue with their UCAS examinations with students from years 11 and 13 making their final preparations before their examinations begin next week. With these GCSE and A Level examinations just around the corner we say goodbye to a number of students as they move from being a Maidstonian to an Old Maidstonian. Leaving MGS is a special moment for many students, and the singing of the School Song is the highlight. There will be tears. Best wishes to all leaving students and good luck to them in their forthcoming examinations.

Since returning to school following the Easter holiday the cricket season has had mixed fortunes. Both the weather and some of the results have been challenging to manage, but we did see a win against The Judd School last week.  Let us hope the season continues in this vein.

Tuesday 2 May 2023

I hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend, and due to the King’s Coronation, we have another one to look forward to next weekend.  We could all get used to these four-day weeks!  To acknowledge the King’s Coronation we will be flying the Union Flag on top of the Gatehouse and we will be serving some coronation-themed food in the Refectory.  Enjoy the next long weekend.

From today, the summer season of examinations begins.  Year 12, for the next two weeks, will be completing their UCAS examinations.  These will be followed by six weeks of A Level and GCSE examinations.  A lot of work has gone on from both staff and students to reach this point, so good luck to everyone, and let us hope the hard work pays off.

On Wednesday this week I will be joined by five representatives from the MGS community, including governors, staff and students as we enjoy food served up from three companies who are tendering for the school meals’ contract.  I always look forward to this day!