Tuesday 1 November 2022

Welcome to the first blog of Term 2.  I hope you all had a wonderful half term break and a well-deserved rest.

We return to school to a busy week.  Over the course of this week, students will be told in assembly about a new opportunity with our food provider, Cucina.  From this week, we will be issuing every student and member of staff an MGS-branded reusable drinks bottle, because by Christmas it is our intention to remove all single-use plastic bottles in the school.  Two new drinks fountains have been installed into the Refectory, and so students wishing to purchase a drink can do so by using their drinks bottles and paying for how much they have.  We hope that this new way of doing things will be appreciated.

Tonight is our first virtual parents’ evening, this time for Year 12.  Parents of year 12 students will have a first opportunity to hear from their child’s teachers about the progress their child has made since the start of the academic year.  I am sure the evening will be a positive one.

On Wednesday evening, it is the turn of parents of year 11 students to attend the Year 11 Information Evening.  The evening is to hear form key staff about what is to come over the next eight months, particularly with GCSE examinations on the horizon, and more pressingly, the process in which students will need to prepare themselves for the sixth form.  Following Wednesday, on Thursday afternoon, Year 11 will have an opportunity to speak to their teachers directly about all things A levels and what they should be doing this year to position themselves well.

Saturday is our biggest event: the MGS Parents’ Association Firework Display.  The PA has run this event for almost 20 years, and during that time it has grown in size and popularity, so much so that last year was the largest yet.  Many members of the MGS community come together to ensure the event goes ahead, so I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those people and to everyone who will be coming along to support.  If you are keen to come along, and haven’t yet purchased a ticket, please do so online.  There will be no ticket sales on the night.  Gates open at 5pm with the display starting at 7pm.

And finally, congratulations to Jake of Year 11 who was selected to represent England at the World Karate Championships in Turkey over the October half term.  Jake sadly did not medal, but did amazingly well getting through three rounds which a huge achievement at this level.  Well done Jake.

HM Blog - Tuesday 19 October 2022

Welcome to the last blog of Term 1.  It does not seem we have been at school for seven weeks.  The term has been a good one, and one where we have seen a number of success stories that have been worthy of acknowledging.  Only on Saturday were we able to welcome many parents and visitors on site to enjoy the annual rugby fixture against Cranbrook School.  With it being the last game before the half term we made it more of an event, offering refreshments and conversation after the games.  A huge thank you to the players, staff, parents, and Old Maidstonians who made it an enjoyable morning.

As well as acknowledging the rugby at the weekend, I also wish to thank the performers, staff and parents who supported the Autumn Showcase last week.  It was an evening full of high quality talent with students eager to shine in front of their peers and their families.  Well done to everyone, and thank you to Mrs Brooks, Mrs Edwards and Mr Bourne for hosting.

Today we again open our doors to the wider community and welcome families of prospective students to see the school at work at our Year 6 Open Morning.  Last Friday, at our first open morning, we were incredibly busy, so I am sure today will be no different.  The week of open events culminates on Thursday when we welcome everyone in again at our Year 6 Open Evening.  At that event the entire school will be open to walk around, see the many exhibitions that we put on, as well as hearing from me and our school captain about what life is like at MGS.  As always, the people who sell MGS are the students.  They are a credit to their school as well as to themselves, and are our ambassadors.  Thank you to everyone who will be helping.

Tuesday 11 October 2022

This week we begin the process of looking forward to September 2023 and welcoming perspective year 6 boys and their parents to our first Year 6 Open Morning.  On Friday, we open our doors to those families wishing to consider MGS as a viable choice for next year, and helping at that event will be the current Year 7 who are best placed to talk about the School and what it is like being a Maidstonian.  We look forward to welcoming everyone then.

At the weekend, we enjoyed a glorious day of sunshine watching our rugby squads compete against Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, Rochester.  Once again, the results across the squads were mixed, but the senior 1^st XV squad led by example bringing home a win 22 – 5.  Well done to the players and thank you to the members of staff and volunteers who continue to support the players not only on match days, but also throughout each week at training.

Today we wish good luck to a number of Maidstonians who are taking part in the first round of the National Cross Country Competition.  If you recall, last year we had three Maidstonians progress to the final of the competition, which took place in Devon.  Best wishes to them all.

And, on Thursday we look forward to the first performing arts showcase of the year.  Our budding musicians and actors will be performing at the Autumn Showcase: an event that celebrates the talents of a number of Maidstonians.  Included in the showcase will be: Pirates of the Caribbean from the MGS Concert Band, Gabriel’s Oboe from the MGS Strings, Seize The Day from the MGS Singers and Blinding Lights from the MGS Big Band. Do come along; the showcase begins at 6.30pm in the Big Hall.

Tuesday 4 October 2022

I cannot believe we are already in October.  This is the time of year when some of us start to put the heating on!

Last Friday we all enjoyed our first non-uniform day to acknowledge MacMillan Coffee Morning.  Staff, students, parents and friends of MGS came together to enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake.  It was a wonderful day and one that illustrated our community spirit.  And at the end of the day we collected £1,857.93 for the charity. Thank you to Mrs Cook for leading the day, and for the prefects for their support.

As well as MacMillan Coffee Morning we also ran a team building day for Year 12.  Students from Year 12 spent the day completing a variety of activities and challenges to further strengthen new friendships and relationships amongst the year group.  I hope the students enjoyed themselves.

Within sport, we saw some upsetting results across both football and rugby last week, but at the same time we saw great team spirit and pride.  Sadly, for Year 10, both our U15 XI and U15 XV teams lost against Oakwood Park Grammar School in football and rugby respectively, and the 1^st XV lost in the National Cup against Skinners’ School 34 - 29.  This last result, even though not in our favour, reflects how close the game was – in fact we were leading at one point 24 – 22.  The players played incredibly well, and was a stark difference to the 60 – 5 loss at the start of the season.  At the weekend rugby fixture against Beths Grammar School, only three squads were playing: the U13A squad sadly lost at home 45 – 25, but the away teams of the U14A and U15A brought back two wins, 65 – 0 and 22 – 5 respectively.

This week we welcome parents of year 7 students to attend their respective Year 7 House Welcome Event.  Tomorrow we welcome parents of Barton and College, and Thursday will be for Corpus Christi and Tonbridge.  The events are designed to give parents a flavour of what their sons have experienced in the first four weeks of the year.   

Tuesday 27 September 2022

I start this week’s blog by acknowledging a Maidstonian’s efforts in the community.  I received news last week that a student of MGS had helped a distressed member of the public who had fallen and hurt themselves.  The student in question heard a cry for help and offered assistance – calling an ambulance and remaining with the person until help arrived.   The member of the public ended up being fine.  It is always pleasing to receive news like this about a Maidstonian, but also to know that there is still a lot of good in the world.  Thank you very much.

Last week we saw mixed fortunes with the senior football squads.  The 2^nd XI squad beat Cornwallis School 11 – 4, but the 3^rd XI lost against Oakwood Park School 3 – 1.  The 1^st XI match against Queen Elizabeth School, Faversham was sadly postponed.

On Saturday, playing Eltham College, we had a better ‘day at the office’ with our rugby squads following last weekend’s disappointing performance.  There were mixed results amongst the junior squads, but the two U14 squads won 22 – 5 and 63 – 7.  I am also delighted to say that both senior squads led by example, returning to MGS with two more wins.  The 2^nd XV won 61 – 7, and the 1^st XV won 35 – 7.  Congratulations to the players.

On Friday this week we are holding our first charity day to acknowledge MacMillan Coffee Morning.  Students will be allowed to wear non-uniform, and there will be cakes available in the Hall at break.  A letter has already gone out inviting parents to attend.  Do come along.

Tuesday 20 September 2022

Today’s blog comes after a very reflective period of national mourning, culminating in the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.  Last Friday the entire MGS community came together to remember her life and acknowledge her death, which with the good weather, resulted in a lovely occasion.  The conduct of the students was exemplary, and illustrated how many young people feel about the recent news.

On Saturday the first weekend rugby fixture took place against Gravesend Grammar School.  All teams, along with a couple of basketball teams, played away at Gravesend, but sadly, many of the results did not go in our favour.  The 1^st XV match, for example, ended 60 – 5, which I think is the biggest loss the senior players have experienced for a very long time. But, what was good was the spirit I saw amongst the players and the support they gave each other.  A steep learning curve for us, though.

Throughout the week this week, form tutors will be meeting with their year 13 tutees to discuss the coming year, the students’ thoughts for when they leave MGS, and how they are positioning themselves in order to achieve their potential.  This mirrors a very similar week last week for Year 11.

Tonight we invite parents of year 9 students into the school to attend the Year 9 Information Evening, which was postponed from Monday.  The evening is an opportunity to hear from key staff about the year ahead as the students embark on the first year of their GCSE studies.

Tomorrow we are welcoming over 1000 people into the school to attend the Higher Education Fair, which is taking place in the Hall from 5pm.  Over 50 higher education and apprenticeship organisations will be attending, providing information and guidance to people across Maidstone who are considering their plans for the future.  

Tuesday 13 September 2022

Welcome to my first blog of the 2022-23 academic year.  I hope you and your families had a good summer holiday and are now looking forward to progressing through a new year.

Sadly, the start of term has been overshadowed by the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.  The news of her death became apparent during the day last Thursday, and I am sure like me, you went home keeping a close eye and ear on developments.  Since the official announcement just after 6.30pm on Thursday, we at school have been responding to government guidance and making preparations to acknowledge the news more formally as one MGS community.  This will take place at some point in the next week.

Despite the news of HM Queen Elizabeth II, life at school has, and will, continue.

Last week, we welcomed the entire school back and acknowledge it with a whole school assembly in the Quad.  I always look forward to leading the first assembly of the year because it is one of very few occasions when the entire MGS community: students and staff are gathered together in one place.  As the school continues to grow in size, this year MGS is at its largest with over 1550 members.  Standing in the Quad at that assembly looking at back at everyone is very special indeed, as it reminds me that even though we are all different, we are also all connected.  We are all Maidstonians. 

Apart from the start of a new academic year, last week we also held our Upper School Speech Day on Friday.  At that event, a number of students from last year’s upper school were presented with prizes to acknowledge their academic performances and achievements.  This year’s guest of honour was Mrs Naomi Lumutenga, an Old Maidstonian herself, who taught at MGS for 23 years.  Sadly, the weather did not allow the event to take place in the Quad, but it was still a wonderful occasion, and a lovely way to end the week. 

On Friday, our newest students in Year 7 enjoyed a morning of team building activities as well as an opportunity to try out for the school rugby squads.  They had tremendous fun getting to know each other, and hopefully made some new friends.

This week we begin to make headway in some of the more operational aspects of the school.  Throughout the week form tutors will be arranging meetings with their year 11 tutees to discuss with them their thoughts and plans for the future and what the students need to do to position themselves well for their exams next year.  In addition, on Thursday we invite all students to have their annual photograph taken as well as inviting parents of Year 12 to attend our Year 12 Information Evening.

Outside of these events, the first sporting fixtures begin starting with the senior football players playing a match against Oakwood Park and the senior rugby players playing in the first round of the National Cup.  Within performing arts, budding actors and performers are invited to audition for this year’s production, Shrek; and the first parade takes place across the CCF. 

Tuesday 20 July 2022

Welcome to my last blog of the 2021-22 academic year and one that I am writing during a red weather warning.  Temperatures in school today will probably reach 40^oC: a temperature never experienced before in the UK let alone at MGS.  Like the last two years of the pandemic have taught me, and which I mentioned in my speech at the Lower School Speech Day last Friday, we humans adapt to what is put in front of us, and so this mini heatwave we are experiencing is just one more obstacle to deal with, and deal with it we will. 

This week, as well trying to stay as cool as possible, we hopefully are going to be enjoying Sports Day: a day that we have not had since 2019.  We hope the temperatures drop enough after today to allow the entire school community to be outside and compete in their houses to try to win the MGS Sports Day Cup.  Fingers crossed.

Finally, I would like to thank the entire school community for another successful year at MGS.  It continues to be an absolute pleasure being the headmaster, and being in the company of so many fine Maidstonians.  Get a rest, have a wonderful holiday, and we will see each other in September.

Tuesday 12 July 2022

Firstly, I would like to thank the members of staff who led and supported the numerous activities during last week’s Extended Learning Week.  The theme of the week, following two years of being stuck indoors, was MGS Outside, and so seeing hundreds of Maidstonians being allowed to be children once more was wonderful.  I hope they all had a great time.

As we approach the summer holiday, this week is a busy one.  Yesterday we welcomed parents of Year 8 into the school to attend a newly created event that acknowledged the two years their sons had been at MGS.  Sadly, due to the pandemic, yesterday was the first time many of them had actually stepped foot into the school, so having them all together and hearing from us was a good thing to do.  Thank you all for coming.

Tomorrow we formally say goodbye to Year 13 at the Year 13 Leavers’ Prom, which this year is being held at Leeds Castle.  The weather is looking to be glorious, so it will be nice to see the leaving Maidstonians in their finest in the early evening sun.

On Friday we acknowledge the founding of the School at our Founders’ Day Church Service, and celebrate a number of academic achievements of years 7 to 10 at our Lower School Speech Day.  We have not been able to do this since 2019, so it will be good once again to bring the whole school community together to recognise an important day.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know in 1888 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded a Doctorate of Music to Mr. Henniker (the master who wrote the music to the school song).  And, after 134 years, we are still singing it.

5 July 2022

I wish to begin this week’s blog by saying how proud I am of the MGS Parents’ Association for being awarded first prize at the recent National PTA Awards.  Huge congratulations to the PA, and to Sarah Hudson who has led the PA for a number of years.  Great job!

Last Thursday we welcomed back to MGS Oli and Billy Leyland (Old Maidstonians from 2019 and 2021).  The two brothers, accompanied by London Broncos Rugby League Club, returned to their Kent roots to coach a number of our own senior rugby players.  Meridian TV was also in attendance to capture the training session and speak to a number of our players.  The players thoroughly enjoyed picking up a rugby ball once more and being in the company of two fine Maidstonians.  Thank you to Mr Ferguson, Mr Saunders, London Broncos, and of course Oli and Billy.

In other Old Maidstonian news, Daniel Jones (OM 2017) and Oliver Evans (OM 2018) both rowed at last week’s prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.  Oli competed for Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club in the Thames Cup, and Dan competed in the Double Sculls Challenge Cup for Leeds Rowing Club.  Sadly they both got knocked out in their respective first rounds, but to qualify for Henley is an achievement in itself.  Well done gents.

This week is Extended Learning Week, which we have not been able to run since 2019.  Years 7 to 9 are taking part in a range of activities from walking in the Kent countryside to outdoor photography, whilst years 10 and 12 are completing valuable work experience to help them better prepare themselves for the world ahead.  I look forward to hearing how it all went when the students return to school next week.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know in 1895 the annual river picnic organised by the headmaster's wife was held at the Chequers, Teston.  The whole school travelling to the site in boats. Also, in 1895, the whole school was invited to the Mayor's garden party along with all the girls from the Girls Grammar School.