As we return to school for the final term of the academic year, there is a real sense of anticipation and excitement around the site. The summer term always carries a special atmosphere at MGS: a season of reflection, achievement and looking ahead, where every part of our community plays its role in shaping what makes this school such a remarkable place to belong.
Although students
were still enjoying the final day of the half-term break yesterday, staff were
back in school for our final training day of the year. It was a valuable
opportunity to come together, reflect and continue thinking carefully about how
we best support our young people. One of the key discussions focused on the
upcoming changes to the use of mobile phones in schools and how we can
establish clear, consistent procedures that work for MGS and, most importantly,
for our students.
Alongside this,
staff heard from our newly appointed Oracy Coordinators about the increasingly
important role that speaking, listening and communication skills will play in
education. There is a growing recognition nationally of the link between young
people’s confidence in communication, their relationships with others and the
influence of technology in their daily lives. At MGS, we are determined to
ensure our students develop not only academically, but also as articulate,
thoughtful and compassionate young people who can engage confidently with the
world around them. This is an exciting area of development for the school, and
certainly one to watch closely in the months ahead.
Meanwhile,
examination season continues in earnest. GCSE and A Level students now move
into Week 3 of the five-week examination period and, while there is still much
hard work ahead, there is perhaps now the first small glimpse of the finishing
line. We are enormously proud of the determination, resilience and maturity our
students continue to show each day. Their approach reflects not only their own
character, but also the support of families, staff and friends around them.
This week also
sees Years 7, 8 and 9 begin their own assessment period. Across the school,
classrooms, corridors and study spaces are filled with students testing
themselves on all they have learned this year. We wish every student the very
best and encourage them to approach the week with confidence and pride in the
progress they have made.
One of the great
joys of the summer term is the return of our weekly Quad assemblies. With the
finer weather hopefully now upon us, these gatherings allow the whole school
community to come together in one space - something that always serves as a
powerful reminder of how connected we all are as Maidstonians. This year’s
theme, humanity, asks the deceptively simple question: what makes us human?
Through these assemblies we will explore identity, kindness, respect, empathy,
responsibility and community - values that sit at the very heart of life at
MGS.
We are also
delighted this week to continue our Year 6 Transition Programme by welcoming
our newest Maidstonians and their families to our House Teas. Across four
evenings, each house will open its doors to new students as they begin their
journey into the MGS community. These events are always a wonderful reminder
that joining MGS is about far more than simply attending a school; it is about
becoming part of a community, a tradition and a shared identity that connects
generations of students past and present. We look forward to seeing new
friendships begin to form and welcoming the next cohort into school life.
Finally, on
Thursday and Friday, our Year 10 geographers travel to Stratford in London to
undertake important fieldwork exploring urban regeneration. We are fortunate to
have such a significant example close to home in the legacy of the London 2012
Olympics, and the experience will undoubtedly bring classroom learning vividly
to life. Trips such as these are an important reminder that education extends
far beyond the classroom and that curiosity, exploration and shared experiences
remain central to what we value at MGS.