Tuesday 28 November 2023

I had the pleasure last week to hear from three Year 10 students about their passion for karting.  Their goal is to compete in the British Schools Karting Championships as MGS, which is a first for the school.  I hope that we can support the students, and that they do well in what could be a new development for MGS.

At the weekend the weather was kind to those students and staff who enjoyed walking the footpaths of Kent in preparation for the Everest Base Camp trip in April.  Yes, it was cold, but the sunshine and clear blue sky made it an enjoyable few hours.  Thank you to Mr Rai for leading the walk.  Also at the weekend a group of about 40 students, accompanied by four members of staff, enjoyed a couple of days in Cologne experiencing its Christmas market.  I am sure lots of Stollen was bought!

This week there are a number of sporting fixtures across a number of different sports.  Following the results at the weekend against Dartford Grammar School, a couple of U13 rugby squads play The Judd School, the senior football squads play The Harvey Grammar School, and the Year 7 basketball players take on Rainham Mark Grammar School.  Good luck to them all.

On Thursday two polarised worlds come together to enjoy a day in Bath.  The Classics and Business Studies departments take a number of students and drive west to the Roman city to visit the Roman Baths and consider how it has developed its business as well as protect this important Roman site.  I look forward to hearing how the Venn diagram of these two subjects combined!

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Firstly, I would like to thank the Senior Prefect Team for leading on all of the arrangements for last week’s Children in Need charity day.  The 8-hour badminton-athon, the huge cake sale, as well as the non-uniform gate contributions, collectively raised over £2000. Thank you to everyone who supported the day.

Congratulations to some of our football squads who won their respective games last week.  The U13 and U15 teams beat The Lenham School 6 – 0 and 1 – 0 respectively, and the 1^st XI beat Buckswood School 5 – 3 in the National Cup.  Well done to all the players and thank you to the staff who continue to support the squads.

Continuing the congratulations for our sporting teams, MGS Rugby had a really good day on Saturday, not losing any of the matches against St Olave’s School.  Highlights were the 1^st XV 2^nd XV squads winning their respective games 29 – 0 and 68 – 0.  Well done to all players

Turning to this week…

This week Year 11 students return from their mock examinations to continue with their GCSE studies, but eagerly await the results in how they did.  On Thursday evening we will be enjoying a performance by some Year 9 drama students, and on Saturday the students going on the Everest Base Camp trip in April will be taking part in their second practice walk along and around the footpaths of the North Downs.

Tuesday 14 November 2023

Firstly, thank you to Lt Col Highway for making the arrangements for last week’s Remembrance Service at school and thank you to the 70+ CCF cadets and adult volunteers who took part in Sunday’s Remembrance Parade in Maidstone.  The Act of Remembrance will always be important to Maidstone Grammar School.

This week we are acknowledging two charities.  Yesterday we invited students and staff to wear odd socks and unusual ties to acknowledge Anti Bullying Week, and on Friday the annual charity day to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal takes place.  On Friday, as well as the usual non-uniform, we will also be selling cakes and putting on a sponsored sporting event.  Thank you to the students and staff for organising both days.

Tuesday 7 November 2023

Firstly, I would like give a huge thank the MGS Parents’ Association and all the staff and student helpers who supported Saturday’s firework display.  The weather prior to the display was somewhat challenging, but the rain stopped and the winds eased to allow for an enjoyable evening.  Thank you also to the many hundreds of you who came along to enjoy the display.

Also, at the weekend the MGS rugby players took part in the fixture against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.  Congratulations to the entire rugby contingent as for the first time this season we brought home wins for each of the squads.  The U13 and U14 A and B squads who were all at home and the U15 and senior squads were away.  Well done boys for what is a very strong rugby school. 

Today after school Year 12 parents hear from their child’s subject teachers at the Year 12 Virtual Parents’ Evening.  It is the first parents’ evening of the academic year, but for Year 12, it provides an early indication of how they are progressing with their A Level studies.

On Friday the community of MGS pauses for two minutes at our Remembrance Service and remembers those fallen Maidstonians who have died in conflict or in serving their country.  This year we acknowledge the 80^th anniversary of the Dambuster Raids, 75 years of the Windrush Generation and the 60^th anniversary of the end of National Service.