I begin this week’s blog by reflecting on a day that will live long in the memory of everyone connected to Maidstone Grammar School. Thursday 19 March was not simply the day of a match; it was the day our community came together in a way that felt truly special.
Our U18 rugby squad were crowned National Vase Champions after a
thrilling 22–21 victory over Dame Allan’s School at Twickenham. Yet what made
the occasion so remarkable went far beyond the final whistle. With nearly 1,000
members of the MGS community in the stands and hundreds more back at school,
there was a shared sense of belief, pride and togetherness that united us all.
Moments like these define a school. They remind us who we are and what we can
achieve when we stand together.
Of course, the players deserve enormous credit for their resilience,
skill and composure under pressure - they have written themselves into the
history of the school. Just as importantly, we recognise the dedication and
commitment of the staff who have guided them throughout the journey: Mr Dadd,
Mr Smith, Mr Seymour and Mr Saunders. This triumph belongs to all of them, and
to the wider MGS family who supported every step of the way.
That same spirit of commitment and adaptability has been evident
elsewhere recently. Our CCF Army Section represented the school superbly in a
regional Military Skills Competition, demonstrating teamwork, leadership and
problem-solving across a demanding range of activities. To finish just outside
the top three is an achievement in itself, and a reflection of the
determination shown by the cadets and the student leaders who have worked
tirelessly to prepare the team.
After
success in two regional heats of the Oxford Schools' Debating Competition,
Hadyn and Leo of Year 13 reached Oxford Finals Day. The two of them had the
incredible opportunity to visit Oxford University, sit in the Oxford Union
debating chamber and debate in the university campus seminar rooms. Students
from 125 schools across the UK, as well as internationally, travelled to Oxford
to compete in 4 rounds of debate. The topics were released live to all of the
students 15 minutes before each debate, which included the importance of
stories from marginalised backgrounds focusing on hope over oppression, a ban
on religious leader running for political office, whether the narrative that
society has failed young boys and men has done more harm than good, and whether
European political parties should adopt Cordon Sanitaire. Hadyn and Leo worked
as a team to devise arguments and strategies for each topic and achieved first
place in their final round. Thank you,
Mr Andrews, for supporting Haydn and Leo in Oxford.
We have also been delighted to celebrate the success of former student
Rafferty Pedder, whose journey from MGS to professional football continues to
inspire. Scoring the first-ever competitive goal for Sporting JAX in their
debut season is a remarkable milestone, and one that speaks to the ambition and
talent we are so proud to nurture in our students. Stories like Rafferty’s
remind us that the values developed here - commitment, resilience and
self-belief - extend far beyond the school gates.
Closer to home, learning has been brought vividly to life for our Year
10 students through their visits to the Imperial War Museum. Opportunities such
as these allow students to engage deeply with the past, enriching their
understanding in ways that the classroom alone cannot provide. My thanks go to
the History Department for making these experiences possible.
Creativity, too, has been flourishing this week. Our annual school
production, Spamalot, promises to be a fantastic showcase of the talent, energy
and humour that define the performing arts at MGS. Behind the scenes and on
stage, students and staff have worked with extraordinary dedication to bring
this production to life. We wish them every success for their performances and
thank Mrs Brooks and the team for their inspiring leadership.
Meanwhile, our strong sense of community and service continues on
Thursday with Corpus Christi House leading the final charity day of the year.
These events are always a wonderful reminder of the generosity and good humour
of our students, as they come together to support worthwhile causes while
enjoying the lighter side of school life.
As I reflect on the week as a whole, what stands out is not any single
event, but the shared spirit that runs through all of them: commitment, pride,
creativity and community. And it is only fitting to end where we began - with
that extraordinary achievement on the rugby field. The image of our U18 team
lifting the National Vase, backed by the unwavering support of the MGS
community, is one that will stay with us for years to come. It represents the
very best of our school, and it is a moment we will continue to celebrate with
immense pride.