This week’s newsletter begins with some very sad news. Dr Les Smith, who served at Maidstone Grammar School for 37 years, passed away during the recent Easter holiday. Dr Smith joined MGS in 1979 and, over the course of his long and dedicated career, was Head of Chemistry for many years as well as Contingent Commander of the CCF for two decades. He was a kind and gentle man who devoted his working life to the students and staff of the school. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
In a poignant
link to Dr Smith’s passing, it was particularly fitting that last Friday we
celebrated the 120th anniversary of the cadet movement at MGS with a dinner.
The Cadet Dinner brought together cadets, staff, governors, Old Maidstonians,
and friends of the school for an evening that honoured both our rich history
and the young people who continue that legacy today.
We were
privileged to welcome as our guest of honour The Venerable Dr Giles Legood, Air
Vice-Marshal, Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon to the Royal Air Force, and an
Old Maidstonian whose distinguished career reflects the values we strive to
instil in our cadets. The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the
development of the Contingent since its beginnings in 1906, recognising
generations of Maidstonians who have served their country, including those who
made the ultimate sacrifice. It was also a celebration of the confidence,
skills, and character that the Combined Cadet Force continues to nurture in our
students. As we look to the future, the CCF remains a vibrant and integral part
of school life, offering challenge, opportunity, and a strong sense of service.
Yesterday, a
dedicated group of students, accompanied by Ms Gazet, travelled to Essex to
take part in the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge. This exciting competition offered
a fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in hands-on
engineering, designing, building, and launching rockets to meet specific
mission criteria. Throughout the day, our students demonstrated impressive
teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience as they tackled the challenges
of real-world engineering. Experiences like this not only bring classroom
learning to life but also inspire future pathways in science, technology, and
engineering. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and commitment, and
extend our sincere thanks to Ms Gazet for her support and encouragement in
making this valuable experience possible.
In sporting news,
our U16 football team were disappointed to lose 2–0 to Wrotham in the Maidstone
U16 Cup Final last week, played at Maidstone United’s ground. Despite a
determined and hard-fought performance, and several close chances in front of
goal, the team was unable to find the breakthrough. Nevertheless, they showed
great resilience and commitment throughout both the match and the season, and
they should be very proud of their efforts.
I am delighted to
share that Old Maidstonian Jasmine Etheridge (2020) is now playing for
Maidstone United Women’s Team. Jasmine began her football journey in the club’s
youth setup, competing in local competitions from an early age, and has
continued to develop her talent in recent years, contributing to both local and
regional league competitions. We look forward to following her continued
success and wish her every best for the future.
Finally, at the
weekend, the MGS Motorsport Team took to the karting track to compete, for the
very first time, in the Buckmore Park 24-Hour Race. Conditions were ideal, and
the event proved to be a true test not only of skill and endurance, but also of
teamwork, resilience and spirit. What stood out just as much as the racing
itself was the wonderful sense of community surrounding the team. The support
from family, friends and staff created an atmosphere of encouragement and
pride, reflecting the strong culture of belonging and connection that sits at
the heart of our school.
I am delighted to
share that, out of 30 competing teams, MGS secured an impressive 9th place - an
outstanding achievement, particularly in their debut year. This success is a
testament to the students’ commitment, collaboration and determination, as well
as the unwavering encouragement they received throughout the event.
My sincere
congratulations go to every member of the team, and my thanks to the staff who
gave their time and energy to support the students across the full 24-hour
period. Moments like these exemplify what can be achieved when individuals come
together, support one another, and feel a genuine sense of belonging within our
school community.