HT Blog - Tuesday 17 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 17 December 2024

Welcome to my last blog of not only 2024 but of Maidstone Grammar School’s 475^th birthday year.  Following the end of this term we officially leave the year of our 475^th birthday and begin a new one.  We have, together, been reminded of our special association we have for this school and the special connection we have with our fellow Maidstonians.  I hope Maidstone Grammar School has enjoyed its birthday year just as much as we have.

But before we say goodbye to 2024 there is still this week to finish.  On Friday last week, thanks to Tonbridge House, we all enjoyed the annual Christmas-themed Charity Day.  A variety of different activities took place throughout the day with a sum of just under £1700 being raised for Save the Children, well done to all involved in organising the day.  Following the day, a large crowd of Maidstonians gathered under the floodlights to watch the MGS Senior XI Football Squad play The Judd School in the National Cup.  The atmosphere was amazing - with the result going our way, beating The Judd School 3 – 0.  This means we are now one of 16 remaining teams still in the competition.  Huge congratulations to the Squad and thank you to Mr Hughes for guiding the players to reach this point.  Following the match the Big Hall was transformed into a festival venue as a number of musicians from across the staff and students took part in the Battle of the Bands event. Huge thanks to Mr Martin who not only performed with his band but organised the entire event.  It certainly was a good day to be a Maidstonian.

Also, at the weekend the last Saturday rugby fixture took place against Ravenswood School.  There were mixed fortunes across the different squads, but the 1^st XV managed to secure a win, beating Ravenswood School 7 – 5.  Well done to them.  Whilst our rugby players were out representing their school, the Navy cadets were spending the weekend at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and a group of younger students travelled to Cologne to enjoy the Christmas market.  They all had a fantastic time and thank you to the staff who accompanied both trips.

This week many of the students and staff will be enjoying their Christmas lunch served by the staff of Cucina.  It is always a popular occasion, and with the sound of pulling crackers and the sight of paper hats, the meal is always well received.  Thank you to Cucina for preparing it for us.

Also, this week I deliver my last Christmas assembly to Tonbridge and Barton Houses.  Since last week I have been sharing with everyone my thoughts on the last term and saying goodbye to leaving staff as well as hearing from the School Captain and School Vice-Captain on their thoughts on the upcoming festive period. 

Finally, William in Year 11 and College House has just regained his title of National Junior Champion in the electric kart series Global Karting League for 2024. This meant that he has gained a fully funded place in the 2025 season.  Huge congratulations William.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and peaceful New Year.  See you in 2025.

HT Blog - Tuesday 10 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 10 December 2024

Firstly, I must praise and give thanks to the brave rugby payers and staff who braved the dreadful conditions of Storm Darragh at the weekend.  Fortunately, I found shelter in the dug-out, but the players, coaches and referees all suffered the challenging conditions for the pride of their school.  A weekend we won’t quickly forget.

Yesterday we welcomed parents of Year 12 to attend our annual GCSE Certificate Presentation Afternoon.  It is an event where we issue Year 12 with their GCSE certificates and recognise their hard work and academic achievements from last year.  The students now need to look after them as those certificates will be needed in their futures.

Also yesterday, a number of parents spent an enjoyable evening together at the MGS Parents’ Association Christmas Wreath Making event.  At the start of the evening the school refectory floor was covered in Christmas-themed foliage, but by the end, every parent took away with them a hand-crafted wreath fit for any front door.  Thank you to the Parents’ Association and to Mrs Hudson for leading the event.

This week I begin delivering my Christmas assemblies to each house.  Over the next two weeks I will be speaking with each house and sharing with them my thoughts on the term that has passed and looking ahead to next year.  Joining me will be the School Captain and School Vice-Captain who will also share a few words of their own about the upcoming festivities.

On Friday this week we have three big events: the Christmas Jumper charity day led by Tonbridge House; the Band Evening; and the MGS vs. The Judd School 1^st XI football match as part of the National Cup.  The Christmas-themed charity day where we invite Maidstonians to wear a Christmas jumper has become a well-established event in the MGS calendar, but as well as the wearing of festive jumpers, this year a number of school bands (including a staff band) will be performing on stage in the Big Hall in front of an excitable audience.  Following the day, some of those same bands will be performing at our Band Evening to a larger audience of rock lovers; and just before that our senior football players take on The Judd School in the all-important match in the National Cup.  The match is at home and will be under the floodlights of the all-weather pitch, which always makes for an exciting event. Good luck to the players.

Huge congratulations to Dexter of Year 11 and Corpus Christi House who last week received the fantastic news that he has been selected for the GB Gymnastic Top Squad for 2025.  This is a wonderful opportunity for him to represent Great Britain!

Finally, well done to Tonbridge House who won the first Battle of the Houses Quiz that took place last Thursday.  100 house points go to them.  Thank you, Mr Holmes, for organising the event and acting as quizmaster. 

Tuesday 2 December 2024

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 2 December 2024

I cannot believe we have already reached the month of December.  The Christmas tree is up in the Big Hall, and we are beginning to make plans for the end of term.  But before we break for the Christmas holiday there are still three weeks to go.

This week Year 8 take part in two days of activities to begin thinking about what they might be interested in doing after they leave school.  I am sure, like me, the students have very little idea of what they want to do in the future, but the work they will be doing over these two days will help them consider what their strengths are and what they might like to study at GCSE.

Yesterday we welcomed again students and their families from outside MGS who are considering joining the school in the sixth form.  This open morning follows the two we had last week as well as the Post 16 Open Evening we had last Thursday.  At that evening event many people wandered the corridors of MGS to get an idea of what we do and how special it is being a Maidstonian.  Thank you to the many staff and students who shared their pride for their school with our guests.

On Thursday we are hosting a new house competition: Battle of the Houses Quiz.  Students across the four houses will be pipped against each other in a series of general knowledge rounds to see which house comes out on top.  Good luck to them all and thank you to the competitors for taking part and the staff for compiling the questions.