Tuesday 16 July 2024

They say, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’, and they also say, ‘time seems to travel faster the older you get’, so writing this final blog of the year, I really cannot believe that we have reached the end of the academic year. 

The main focus of the year has been to acknowledge and celebrate the school’s 475^th birthday year, and in doing so has allowed everyone associated with MGS to come together on numerous occasions as one Maidstonian community. Yesterday, for example, the entire school community processed down to All Saints Church for the annual Founders’ Day Service which was then followed with our Lower School Speech Day.  Both occasions were particularly special due to the school’s 475^th birthday year, but also we were delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain as guest of honour.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped support yesterday’s events, and to those who have helped create the many memoires that we have seen right throughout the year that we will, I’m sure, all take away with us.  So for the final time this year: Happy Birthday MGS!

Have a wonderful summer break.

Tuesday 10 July 2024

This week is a different week.  There are no normal lessons scheduled as years 7 to 9 are taking part in a variety of different activities during their enrichment learning week and years 10 and 12 are completing some essential work experience before they progress into years 11 and 13 respectively.  I am sure they all have a good week.

On Saturday this week we return to our 475 celebrations by holding the MGS 475 Garden Party.  Over 130 guests from across the school community will not only be enjoying each other’s’ company but will also be enjoying a lovely afternoon tea made by our catering team, Cucina.  Let us hope the weather holds for us.

Finally, two weeks ago I acknowledged Owen, of Year 12 and Barton House, who competed in the recent All-England IPF Power Lifting Competition. After placing 1st in his category at that event, making him the English Champion for under 93kgs, he has now been selected to represent England in the forthcoming Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships to be held in October in South Africa.  Huge congratulations Owen; well done.

 

Tuesday 2 July 2024

This week sees Maidstonians go to the polls in the big election: The MGS Mock Election.  To coincide with the general election, we are running a mock election in parallel where a number of year 12 students have put themselves forward to stand as candidates for the various parties. Hustings will be taking place the day before, with polling taking place on Thursday 4 July.  As Returning Officer, I will announce to the school that afternoon the results of the election.  Good luck to all candidates.

Also on Thursday, as well as the mock election, we welcome our newest and youngest Maidstonians to attend a day in school at the Year 6 Induction Day.  In just over eight weeks these students will be fully-fledged Maidstonians who will begin their MGS journey for the coming years, and so spending a day with us will show them what being associated with this school is all about.

At the weekend a number of Maidstonians will be jetting off to a variety of destinations to enjoy a week away as part of the Enrichment Learning Week programme.  Whilst years 10 and 12 next week will be completing essential work experience, years 7 to 10 will be enjoying being outside of the classroom and taking part in an activity that they have chosen.  Some are away on a school trip, whilst others will be in and around Maidstone doing a variety of different things.  I hope everyone enjoys themselves, and safe journey to all those who are travelling.

Finally, congratulations to three students: Theo of Year 11 and Corpus Christi House, Clark of Year 12 and also of Corpus Christi House, and Liam of Year 12 and Barton House.  Theo has just been accepted for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.  His enthusiasm for all things design and technology has been regularly praised by Mr Alvarez, head of D & T, and so Theo’s success is very much deserved.  And Clark and Liam have just been awarded gold for their participation in the recent Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.  Well done to them all.