Welcome to the final blog of Term 4. It is hard to believe how quickly this academic year is progressing, with Year 11 and Year 13 now on the cusp of beginning their GCSE and A Level examinations. This is always a significant milestone in the school calendar, and we wish them every success as they approach this important period.
I would like to begin
by celebrating the outstanding success of last week’s annual production,
Spamalot. After months of dedication, rehearsals and teamwork, the cast, crew
and musicians delivered three truly fantastic performances. The wit and humour
of Monty Python shone through, delighting audiences throughout. My sincere
thanks go to all students and staff involved, expertly led by Mrs Brooks, for
bringing such joy and laughter to our school community, and to everyone who
came along to support the show.
Huge congratulations
to our U12 and U16 basketball squads, who last week achieved a fantastic
victory by both winning their respective Kent Cups. This is a remarkable
accomplishment and a testament to the teams’ dedication, teamwork, and hard
work throughout the season. Basketball has seen a significant rise in profile
within the school in recent months, largely thanks to the enthusiasm and
commitment of Mr Ashenfelter and the PE Department. Their efforts have inspired
pupils across multiple year groups, leading to impressive performances not only
at county level but also in both the Kent and National Cup competitions across
several age categories. This success reflects the growing strength of
basketball in the school and the determination of our players to continually
improve and compete at the highest level. Well done, boys - we are incredibly
proud of you.
Last Thursday, Corpus
Christi House led our final charity day of the year in support of Comic Relief.
Despite being rescheduled, the day was a great success and full of energy,
featuring non-uniform, a popular breaktime tuck shop, a lively staff versus students
football match (which the staff won 7 – 1!), and the exciting opportunity to
see the MGS Motorsport Team in their final stages of preparation ahead of next
term’s Buckmore 24 Race. Thank you to Mr Norton, Mrs Coveney and the Corpus
Christi Student Leadership Team for organising such an enjoyable and worthwhile
event.
Over the weekend, it
was a pleasure to welcome back members of the Old Maidstonian Society for their
annual supper. With over 70 former students in attendance, it was a wonderful
opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate their shared experiences of
MGS. Earlier in the day, a number of younger Old Maidstonians also took to the
football pitch once again. While the pace may have been a little gentler than
in years gone by, the enthusiasm and camaraderie were as strong as ever.
Continuing this
theme, we were delighted to welcome back nearly 100 members of last year’s Year
13 cohort for their A Level Certificate Presentation Evening. This special
occasion allows our most recent Old Maidstonians to celebrate their
achievements together and reflect on two years of hard work. It was fantastic
to see so many familiar faces back in school.
Earlier this week, a
group of Year 8 students returned from an exciting rugby tour to Portugal,
where they took part in the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival - widely regarded as
one of the premier youth rugby events in Europe. The trip provided a memorable experience
both on and off the field. My thanks go to Mr Cooper and the PE Department for
organising and supporting this opportunity.
Today, our Year 10
and Year 11 Classics students visit the British Museum to enrich their studies
through first-hand experience of its remarkable collection of classical
artefacts. I am sure the trip will prove both engaging and informative, and I
would like to thank Ms Adams for organising it.
Looking ahead,
tomorrow evening we welcome Year 13 parents and carers for the final consultation
evening before the A Level examinations begin. This provides a valuable
opportunity for students and families to reflect on progress and ensure that
final preparations are as effective as possible.
As we reach the end
of a busy and successful term, I would like to thank all students, staff and
families for their continued commitment and support. I wish everyone a restful
and enjoyable break over the Easter holiday.