31 January 2017

Firstly, congratulations and well done to the senior rugby squad who played and beat Skinners’ School on Wednesday last week 21 – 19.  The boys played extremely well, and the result was a good one considering it has come just before they travel to Paris in half term for their rugby tour.  Well done boys.

Last Friday I attended an Old Maidstonian event in London which invited former students to gather together and catch up with each other before travelling home after their day at work.  It was good to meet a variety of OMs ranging from students who left in the 50s to those who left only a few years ago. 

Yesterday we spent the day interviewing candidates for the Assistant Headteacher position that will be vacant from September following Dr Everett’s decision to retire.  Governors, staff and students were all involved in the process and I am pleased to say that we were able to make an appointment.

Thursday this week is the deadline for all applicants from Year 11 who wish to join our sixth form from September.  We are always oversubscribed and so it is hoped, once again, that many students finally join us in September after the many months’ long process.

This Friday is the annual Parents’ Association Quiz Night, which this year has a British theme.  The event is always very popular, but if you have not purchased your tickets yet, and you still wish to come along, then please make contact with the School straight away.  See you there.

Tuesday 24 January 2017

All of this week a group of Year 12 students are in Boston and New York to attend the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  Each year the students on return speak very positively about their experiences and are always ready to promote the trip to subsequent year groups.  We look forward to hearing how they got on when they return next Monday.

Yesterday I was involved in interviewing a number of members of staff for a new role which we have created to start in September.  Part of the interview involved the shortlisted candidates taking part in a student led interview and an assembly.  It is always important to get a student perspective; young people are incredibly perceptive.  Thank you to them for their views.

Today is the Year 9 Parents' Evening.  Subject teachers will be available to meet parents and discuss the progress of the boys since starting their GCSE courses.  With some staff being fully booked, if parents are unable to make appointments then please do let us know.  There will be plenty of senior staff on hand to answer any questions or concerns, but I will be unavailable as I am attending a meeting elsewhere in Kent. I hope the evening goes well.

On Friday I am attending the first Kent and Medway Grammar Schools' Association meeting of 2017.  The meetings always provide opportunities to network with fellow Heads and discuss issues that affect us all. 

Following this meeting I will be commuting into London to attend an Old Maidstonian event.  With Neil Turrell, Headmaster of MGS from 1992 to 2009, being President of the Old Maidstonian Society this year the Committee felt it would appropriate to organise an event in London to encourage Old Maidstonians who work in London to meet over a couple of drinks before commuting home.  There will be a number of former students attending, and so I look forward to meeting them and sharing with them how their school has developed since they left.

Finally congratulations to Hamish Reilly, Bashri Ryan and Simon Coppard who have all been selected to represent Kent Schools at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March.  All of them took part in the Kent Schools Championship at the weekend coming 2^nd, 4^th and 3^rd respectively in their respective races.  As well as these three boys Matthew Howson also competed at the weekend in one of the Maidstone District teams finishing 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th, 8^th, 9^th and 28^th.   Well done boys. 

Tuesday 17 January 2017

Following the very brief snowy conditions at the end of last week, it is good to be back to normality.  Two and a half hours stuck on Bluebell Hill on Thursday evening was the highlight of my week!

This week Year 13 students are on study leave and coming in to school to complete their mock examinations.  It is hoped the results of these examinations provide a good idea of where students are and what they need to do to prepare for the real ones later in the year.  Good luck to all.

Last night after school I attended the Old Maidstonians Society January meeting.  It was a chance for the Committee to discuss a number of matters and prepare for the Old Maidstonians Annual Supper coming up in March.  The work the Committee does is incredibly important, ensuring that as many Old Maidstonians remain in contact with each other and with the School.  When a Maidstonian becomes an Old Maidstonian, the School motto, ‘Olim Meminisse Juvabit’ really begins to mean a lot.

Throughout the year a number of training opportunities are put on for staff to support them with their own professional development, and tonight a large proportion of the staff are remaining at school for an additional hour to take part in some of that bespoke training, which includes a session on ‘Being Creative in the Classroom’.  

Congratulations to Sam Ghinn of Year 9 who has been selected to be a member of the British Gymnastics training squad for boys aged 14-17. Well done Sam.

And finally I am pleased to announce that work begins from next Monday on phase 1 of our 2 year building project.  BEC was awarded the contract just before Christmas for the Performing Arts and Science and Computing buildings.  It all starts next week beginning with the Performing Arts building.

10 January 2017

I hope after last week everyone has settled back into term.  The Spring Term for me is always the hardest despite it not being as long as the Autumn Term.  Students are beginning to prepare for the summer examinations and complete all their necessary coursework, but also, as a school, we really begin thinking ahead and preparing for the next academic year.  There is always a lot to do.

Yesterday I launched with Year 12 the School Captain and School Vice-Captain application process.  Those students who are interested in applying now have four weeks to put their letters of application together as the deadline is Friday 3 February.  Following shortlisting there will be interviews in the first week back following the February Half Term.  I look forward to seeing who applies.

All of this week boys in year 8 are completing their Year 8 examinations which will help them decide what GCSE subjects they wish to study from next year.  Last week’s Year 8 Information Evening was the beginning of the GCSE Options process and by the end of the period all the boys will know what they will be studying.

Next week Year 13 will be completing their mock examinations, which will be their last internally set examination before the real ones in the summer.  Make sure you all prepare yourselves well and good luck to everyone.

Just an advance warning that there is a Year 9 Parents’ Evening coming up in a couple of weeks: Tuesday 24 January.  This will be the first chance parents hear feedback from teachers about their son’s progress since beginning their GCSEs.  We look forward to welcoming parents then.

 

 

3 January 2017

Welcome back everyone and Happy New Year.  I hope you all had a well-deserved and peaceful break.  This week is a slightly quieter and shorter one to start the year off. 

On Thursday we welcome parents of Year 8 to attend their son’s Information Evening.  Year 8 is an important year as the boys choose what GCSE subjects they would like to study from next year, and this Information Evening begins that process.  The Year 8 Exams begin next Monday which will help the boys and their parents consider their strengths and subjects of interest.  We look forward to meeting parents on Thursday. 

Before next week’s Blog I would have also spoken to Year 12 regarding the up-and-coming application process to become the next School Captain and Vice-Captain.  Despite the interviews for the roles not being until after February Half Term, the process needs to begin early to allow interested students a chance to apply and for us to shortlist.  I look forward to receiving application letters in the near future.

Have a good first week back everyone.

13 December 2016

Welcome to the last blog of 2016.  We have finally reached the last week of term! 

 

Firstly I would like to say thank you to everyone who donated a gift to our annual Salvation Army Christmas Present Collection; the response from you all has been overwhelming.  All of the presents were placed under our Christmas tree yesterday and then taken along to the charity’s depot before being distributed to hundreds of children for Christmas.  A photograph of what you have all donated will be posted in our newsletter, which will be going out at the end of the week.

 

This week there are a number of events that acknowledge the end of term and the up-and-coming festive period.  Today is Christmas lunch day.  A large number of the School come together to tuck into a plate full of delights prepared by Independent Catering.  On Wednesday the School Carol Service takes place at 7.30pm in All Saint’s Church where many from the wider school community congregate together to hear the traditional nine lessons and carols.  If you are able to please do come along.  And on Friday we are acknowledging the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day.  Students and staff will be allowed to wear their Christmas jumpers with their uniform and offer a donation to support the charity.  I am sure some of the jumpers will have flashing lights!

 

2016 has been a very busy year, and I wish to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the workings of MGS.  Your help and support for the School is very much appreciated.

 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and we’ll see each other again on Tuesday 3^rd January, 2017.

 

 

6 December 2016

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the final performance of this year's School Production on Saturday evening.  Over 50 students across all seven year groups and about 10 members of staff were all involved in the classic tale of Zorro.  It was a lively mix of South American colours, costumes and music with many moments of comedy brilliance.  The confession scene was genius!  Well done to the entire cast and crew, and thank you all for giving an incredible amount of commitment for the last three months. 

This production is followed tonight by the GCSE Drama Showcase.  Year 10 and 11 students are showcasing their work to an audience at 5.30pm in Room 60.  I look forward to another evening of entertainment.

Tomorrow night we welcome parents of Year 12 who will be attending the Year 12 Parents' Evening.  It is the first opportunity for Year 12 and their parents to hear how they are progressing with their A-Level studies.  We have high hopes for the year group, so let us hope the evening is a positive one.

Thursday night is the Parent's Association Christmas Fair and Pamper Evening.  This year is the third time this event has run, and if last year is anything to go by, this year's event will be well-attended.  There will be a number of different stalls selling a variety of Christmas goodies and stocking filler ideas, plus an opportunity to relax and be pampered.  Do come along.  It starts at 6pm and is £3 to enter.

Friday is the second House Charity Day of the year.  Endeavour and invincible lead this, and as it is the charity day nearest Christmas we ask students and staff to also bring in a food item that gets donated to a charity supporting the homeless.  The day will include the usual opportunity for students to come to school not in uniform in exchange for £1, plus enjoy a number of events during break and lunch.  Remember also we are collecting toys and gifts for The Salvation Army to pass to children less fortunate than ourselves.  If you can support this your offers of help will be very much appreciated.

And finally this Friday and Saturday are two big days in the rugby calendar: they are the days we play The Judd School.  It is always a hotly contested weekend, so I wish all the players the best of luck. 

29 November 2016

On Saturday morning I enjoyed a very tense hour watching the 1st XV rugby squad play St Olaves.  The players played with tremendous passion and pride and ended the tense hour winning 8 - 7.  St Olaves were leading 7 - 5 at half time, and after securing a penalty in the first 10 minutes of the second half we then protected a one point lead for the rest of the game.  In the last minute it looked as though St Olaves were going to win with a very late try, but fortunately for us they did not ground the ball.  A good morning's entertainment.  Well done gents.

Yesterday and today I have been joined by governors, staff and students in finding a new Deputy Head for the School.  The days are incredibly demanding for everyone but also a pleasure to meet people who wish to make a positive impact at MGS.  It is hoped that we are in a position this afternoon to make an appointment.  Thank you to everyone involved.

This week, starting from tomorrow, we will all be enjoying four nights of Zorro, this year's school production.  Students and staff have worked tirelessly over the past three months preparing for this week.  I am sure a number of us remember the black and white TV series, and those much younger will have seen the Antonio Banderas films.  We look forward to seeing this iconic character on the MGS stage.  Good luck to the cast and crew, and thank you to all of you involved.  The show is on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week starting at 7.30pm.  Do come along.

On Friday afternoon I am meeting Mrs Stanley, Headmistress of Maidstone Girls Grammar School, for our monthly catch up.  It is a chance for the two of us to chew the fat over a cup of tea, share ideas and look at how the two schools can continue to support each other.

And finally, congratulations to eight boys who took part in the Literature Quiz Competition at East Tilbury Library last week. The boys settled well in the crowded venue and battled to find the answers to wide ranging questions related to fiction and non-fiction books, comics, poems and author biography.  The boys worked exceptionally well together demonstrating their wide reading and recall of detail. Both teams were a credit to MGS and the results were really exciting. We achieved joint first place, but with only one team able to progress to the National Final and the opportunity to travel to Canada for the World Finals.  Well done to James Tyler, George Bacon, Toby Hardy and Henry Noble all from 7 Challenger; Sam Butler, Ben Collins and Andrew Betha of 8 Endeavour; and Bailey Hearn of 8Challenger.

 

 

22 November 2016

On Saturday I enjoyed watching some of the younger boys play rugby against Gravesend Grammar School in their weekly fixture.  Both the U12 A & B and the U13 A & B squads played at home resulting in three wins for the School.  It was lovely to see all of the boys committed to the game and play with pride.  Well done boys, thank you to the PE staff that looked after the teams and thank you to the many parents who came along to support.  We also had a very successful District X-country event on Friday, winning two of the three team categories, with individual winners in every race. 17 boys have been selected to represent the District team at the Kent Championships.

Over the last two weeks we have had a number of visitors to the School as perspective candidates for the Deputy Head position which will be vacant from next year following Mr Smith's decision to retire at the end of this year.  The deadline was last Friday, and yesterday I was joined by three governors to shortlist the many applications for interviews next week.  Mr Smith will be a hard act to follow, but it is hoped by next week we will have secured a suitable candidate who will support MGS in its next chapter.

Today I was out of school in the morning attending a meeting of Headteachers looking at how the Local Authority continues to support schools with the many services it provides.  Schools and the support they require are evolving and so it is pleasing that Headteachers are being asked to have an input into how that support is tailored. 

On Friday we will be taking a step forward to achieving the restructure of the House and Pastoral systems of the School by appointing members of staff who will lead the Houses from next year.  A number of members of staff have shown interest in the new roles and I look forward to hearing their vision and ideas of how the restructure will develop.  Also on Friday Year 12 students will be receiving their GCSE certificates at our GCSE Presentation Afternoon.  The students who were here last year will be issued their certificates in the presence of their peers and their parents at this special event.  Mr Mark Rolfe, the Chair of Governors, will be our Guest of Honour and the one who issues the students with their certificates.

15 November 2016

Firstly I wish to thank the 77 members of the MGS Combined Cadet Force that took part in the Remembrance Service in Maidstone on Sunday.  68 cadets and 9 members of staff across all three contingents represented the School in the annual parade and service in front of the war memorial.  Remembrance is extremely important to MGS and so it is fitting each year that our CCF takes part in the event.  Thank you to everyone who attended.

Last Friday evening I enjoyed watching MGS play Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in the weekly fixture.  Instead of the usual Saturday morning, some of the matches took place under flood lights at Sidcup Rugby Club.  The U12s, 2^nd XV and 1^st XV all enjoyed the opportunity of playing under flood lights and were supported by a number of students who braved the very cold conditions.  Sadly, though, we did not bring a win back for the School.  Bad luck boys, but you played with tremendous spirit and camaraderie, and it will be an experience you will remember.

This week is a relatively quiet week but not for Year 11 as they begin their Mock Exams in earnest.  Year 11 will be off timetable and only expected to come into school when they have an examination.  Mock exams are there not only to provide a point of assessment for students and parents, but to also provide an opportunity to understand what it will be like during the real GCSE examinations in May.  I hope the boys have prepared well and achieve what they are aspiring to achieve. 

This Friday the School acknowledges the annual BBC Children In Need Appeal.  Students will be allowed to dress down for the day for a £1 donation, but hopefully wear something yellow to join in with the theme for the day.  I think also the 6th Form students are being invited to bring in a teddy bear!  Please do get involved with the day.