HT Blog – Tuesday 20 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 20 May 2025

Now years 11 and 13 have formally left and are completing their respective GCSE and A-level examinations the school is much quieter.  The Refectory at lunchtime is less crowded, there is more space in the corridors during lesson changeover and many more classrooms are empty as you walk around the school.  But it is this time of year when we really begin to look ahead to the following academic year, and this week marks a significant change for MGS.  On Thursday we issue Year 7 with their own electronic device.  Over the last 12 months we have working hard behind the scenes to reach the point where we as a school can now begin the process of teaching our Maidstonians to learn in a more digital way.  Teaching is going to radically change as devices become an integral part to students’ learning within the classroom, and so the rollout this week is the beginning of that change.  We are all looking forward to seeing how this new development works out.

Congratulations to the year 8 students who took part in last week’s UKMT Mathematics Challenge - they produced the best set of results we have seen in the last five years.  A special mention must go to Ryan of College House who was one mark from qualifying for the Junior Olympiad, and an impressive six students qualified for the Kangaroo Challenge.  Well done to all who took part. 

HT Blog – Tuesday 13 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 13 May 2025

This week we say goodbye to Year 13 and au revoir to Year 11.  On Thursday Year 13 make the transition from being a Maidstonian to being an Old Maidstonian, and if past experience is anything to go by, there will be tears and high emotions.  You cannot leave a place such as MGS without feeling a little sad that no longer can you be a part of something special.  We wish Year 13 well.  Contrast this with Year 11 where the GCSE examinations for many form simply a hurdle to jump, as many will be returning to MGS in September.  Some however are choosing to use this point as an opportunity to continue their learning journey elsewhere, and for those Maidstonians we say thank you for choosing MGS, and best wishes for the future.

This week Year 9 will be hearing from the History Department as we host another one of our Curriculum Extra lectures.  These lectures started last year and form a part of how we are maintaining the breadth of the curriculum beyond the point when the students chose their GCSE subjects in Year 8. 

Merrick S (Year 13 and Corpus House) attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to collect his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award this week.  Many congratulations to him on what must have been a very proud day for him and his family.

Finally, congratulations to the U15 Football Squad who became Maidstone District Champions last week when they beat the School of Science and Technology, Maidstone (SST) 4 – 0 in the final.  Well done to the players and thank you to Mr Hughes and Mr Smith for supporting them throughout the season.

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 6 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 6 May 2025

Welcome back after the May Bank Holiday weekend.  The warm weather during last week is sadly over, but it does mean that we can now be slightly more comfortable in school.  This week is the last full week Year 11 and Year 13 will be in school as the GCSE and A-level examinations begin.  Starting on Thursday, Year 11 will be beginning their six-week journey of examinations with Drama, and then Year 13 start on Monday 12 May.  Good luck to them all.  

As mentioned in last week’s blog, the sport of cricket benefitted from last week’s fine weather with a senior cricket match against Oakwood Park Grammar School and an U15 match against The Judd School.  Sadly, the results did not go our way for both matches, but it was delightful sitting in the warm morning sunshine on Saturday watching the U15 team.  Bad luck boys.

On Thursday we join the Nation in acknowledging the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The CCF will be undertaking a special parade in school and spelling out VE 80 on the school field, and students who visit the school library will be reminded of those 72 Old Maidstonians who lost their lives in the 2^nd World War.

Finally, this week a group of year 10 and year 12 students travel down to Canterbury to enjoy a PE-themed day of activities.  Students will be learning more about their bodies, how they work, and having a few tests done to inform them of the BMI and how fit they are.  We have been running this trip for a few years now and it always proves to be an enjoyable one.