Tuesday 28 March 2017

Thank you to everyone who supported and got involved with last Friday's Comic Relief charity day.  A number of students helped make cakes earlier in the week to sell on the day, students were on the school gates collecting donations, and many attended the 'MGS does Countdown' event in the Big Hall at lunch.  Thank you.
Last Thursday the SLT spent a day away from school planning for next year.  We were joined by Mr Ferguson and Mr Martin who will be joining the team from September, and together we talked about next year and how the school continues to evolve.  It was a very helpful day and much was accomplished.
Over the weekend the CCF Army section entered an eight man team into the 11 Infantry Brigade Military Skills Competition.  They competed against 16 teams from CCF and ACF from all over the South East of England.  They took part in 16 stands to test their knowledge and skills in a whole variety of military disciplines, including map reading, fire control orders, reconnaissance patrolling and shooting.  The team finished in the top three in half of the stands and won 4, however it was not sufficient to take top spot, finishing in a very worthy second place.  Well done to the cadets and thank you to Major Highway and Mr Rai who accompanied them.
Matthew Howson of Year 8 competed in the Schools Inter Counties Cross Country on Saturday representing Kent and MGS.  He also qualified for the Schools British National Biathlon Championships on Sunday at Crystal Palace where he came 22nd nationally in the U14 age group.  Well done Matthew.  Hamish Reilly, Bashri Ryan and Simon Coppard all took part in the English Schools Cross-Country Championships in Norwich at the weekend representing Kent. The Kent intermediate squad performed very well and as a result received a cup for the first team of 8 members out of every County in England. Overall Kent finished in second place behind their rivals Essex and only lost out by 1 point.  Well done boys and thank you for representing MGS in the Kent team.
This week there are a number of events where we welcome Old Maidstonians back to school.  Tonight a number of last year's leavers are coming in to attend the A Level Presentation Evening where they get presented with their A Level certificates. On Wednesday the annual Old Boys’ rugby and football matches take place against the current school teams.  Both matches kick off at 2.30pm on the school field.  And on Friday the annual Old Maidstonian Society Supper takes place.  Nearly 100 former students of the school enjoy an evening meal in the Big Hall, catch up with each other and hear from me and a number of other speakers about the school.  We welcome them all.  Friday is the end of term and then we all enjoy a couple of weeks off.  I hope you and your families have a wonderful Spring break.

 

21 March 2017

Thank you to everyone who came along to support their school at Friday's annual rugby and netball fixtures against Oakwood Park at Aylesford Rugby Club.  Once again the camaraderie and allegiance you all had for each other was overwhelming.  Well done to all the squads who played, bringing home five victories and a draw.  Results were as follows:  U12A won 15 – 10, U12B won 35 – 0, U13 won 45 – 5, U14 won 60 – 0, U15 won 22 – 7, U18 Girls Netball drew 13 – 13 and the 1^st XV won 54 – 3.  Well done everyone.  A big thank you also to the staff who accompanied the players and who have supported them during the season.  A great day for MGS.  As well as the rugby last week we also played Oakwood at football in the Maidstone District League.  The U15 and both the U14 A and B teams played on Wednesday bringing home three wins out of three.  The U15s won 4 – 2, and the U14 A and B teams won 8 – 3 and 9 – 0 respectively.  Well done boys.

Congratulations to Ella Collie, Samuel Jeffery, Charlie Luxton, Matthew Piper, William Terry and Allen Wesson all from Year 12.  They won the Kent heat of the ICAEW National Business & Accounting Competition last week and will now be representing Kent schools at the National Final in Birmingham on the 30^th June, competing against 42 other heat winners from around the UK.  Well done all and thank you to Mrs Acaster and Mr Seymour for supporting them.  Well done to Joseph Clapham, Paras Dixit, Ethan Ellingham, Samuel Fletcher, Edward Flower, Alfred Hodges and Matthew Taylor of Year 8 and 9 who spent two days in Birmingham last week taking part in the Big Bang Science Final.  We were one of over 400 schools taking part and these seven boys were a credit to MGS.  Thank you to them and to Ms Jefferson who has supported them for the last few months.

Tonight we welcome parents of Year 11 students into the school to attend the Year 11 Parents' Evening.  There are now only a few school weeks to go before the students begin their study leave and start their examinations, so this parents' evening comes at a good time.  On Thursday members of staff from the Senior Leadership Team are having a day away from school to discuss how the school is continuing to develop and how we can best support it.  We will be joined by two new faces who will be joining the SLT from September.  Days such as these are incredibly important and provide an opportunity for discussion and action away from the daily hustle and bustle of school.

On Friday MGS acknowledges Comic Relief.  There will be a number of events taking place during the day, including the selling of hundreds of cakes and the traditional Big Hall event.  This year the 6th Form students are putting on a Countdown themed event which will hopefully provide a few laughs.  Students, as normal, will be permitted to come into school in non-uniform, contributing £1 to do so.  Please do support the day.

14 March 2017

Firstly I wish to acknowledge the effort and commitment of the Girls Rugby Squad last weekend that took part in the Reigate 7s tournament.  Although they lost their matches, their valiant effort on the pitch should be commended.  MGS has had very good success with girls’ rugby in recent years, winning the Kent 7s tournament on two consecutive occasions in 2014 and 2015.  Thank you to all the girls who took part, we look forward to what the rest of the Sevens season brings, and thank you to Mr Hathaway for supporting the squad.  I am pleased to announce that the MGS CCF RAF Ground Training Team won the National Air Squadron Trophy Drill competition at the weekend at RAF Halton.  The team performed well in the seven disciplines that make up the overall Air Squadron Trophy coming 11^th out of 200 schools nationally.  MGS is a seven times winner of the Trophy, but sadly we have not managed to win the competition for several years.  We always place highly in the drill element of the Trophy and so this year retaking the crown was incredibly rewarding.  Well done to all the cadets and thank you to Mr Moores and Mr Parish for accompanying them and supporting them over the last few weeks and months. Last night I attended the Kent Public Speaking Competition watching Leo Hodges and Allen Wesson of Year 12 represent MGS.  We have had some good success in this competition in the past, but sadly on this occasion we did not bring home any silverware.  Well done boys and thank you to Mrs Brooks and Ms Lewis who supported the boys at the event and who helped prepare them both over the last few weeks and months.
After school yesterday I was joined by the rest of the SLT and both the current and new School Captains and School Vice-Captains to select the students who will become the next Student Leadership Team.  It is always a pleasure being involved in such tasks, reading the students’ application letters, and seeing how they all wish to continue to give leadership and service to their school.  The final outcome will be announced shortly.  Tonight after school many members of staff are completing some training in preparation for the new Pastoral and House structures from September.  You will all know by now that we are creating a more vertical structure and so this year one member of staff and 21 students have been doing that very thing and have taken part in the pilot vertical form.  A number of these students will be involved in tonight’s training as they can give a first-hand impression of what it is like being in a mixed aged form. 
Tomorrow night is a new event in the School’s calendar: The MGS Careers Evening.  Aimed at students in Year 9 to Year 13, a number of external speakers and presenters will be outlining what is required and what it is like working in a variety of fields.  Many students and parents have booked to come along, so we look forward to a very busy and positive evening.
And finally this Friday a number of boys are taking part in the annual rugby fixture against Oakwood Park Grammar School.  Held at Aylesford Rugby Club, the U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and senior squad are all playing with different kick off times starting from 5.30pm.  Let’s hope we can bring home five victories.  Do come along and support.

7 March 2017

The Senior Rugby Squad took part in the Gravesend Sevens Competition last Monday at Gravesend Rugby Club. The team beat a number of good sides including Sevenoaks School, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School to get to the final where they played Rochester Mathematical School, who had secured their place in the final with wins against Eltham College and The Duke of York School. With some outstanding rugby and commitment we won the trophy for the first time in the history of the competition. Notable past winners have been The Judd School, The Skinners’ School, The Duke of York School and Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.  Well done boys and thank you to Mr Hathaway who accompanied them.

Thank you to those who came along to Friday’s Jam Tribute Night organised by the Parents’ Association.  It was a very successful night which raised a healthy sum of money.  Thank you to the Parents’ Association and do look out for other PA events later in the year.

At the weekend a number of MGS students took part in the Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club Spring Head Race.  Many students were rowing for the club, but two students, Daniel Jones and Stephen Mackie of Year 13 competed as MGS.  Conditions were terrible, but Dan and Stephen had a really good row and ended up coming 7^th out of over 50 boats in their division.  This is a remarkable achievement when you consider that 18 of the boats in their division had more rowers in the boat than in Dan and Stephen’s boat.  Well done boys.

Tomorrow we welcome parents of Year 13 students who will be attending the Year 13 Parents’ Evening.  This is the last chance these parents will formally meet the teachers of their children, and with examinations being just round the corner, many students will be knuckling down for the last push.  We look forward to seeing parents tomorrow.

This Friday is the deadline for students of Year 12 to hand in their application to be considered for a position on the Student Leadership Team for next year.  There will be many more applicants than positions, so the following couple of weeks will be used to whittle them down to the best 12.  Good luck to everyone who applies.

28 February 2017

This week students from Year 11 continue to meet with key staff to discuss their thoughts about life after the GCSE examinations.  The advice and guidance we give students throughout school, particularly at this stage is crucial.  It is hoped that many of the boys decide to remain at MGS and continue their studies here.

Last night and tonight I am meeting with a group of parents who wanted to come into school and ask questions regarding our imminent expansion plans and decision to reshape our pastoral and house structures.  Last night went well and I look forward to meeting different parents tonight.  If you would like to come along then please do.  The evening begins and 6pm and will last about an hour.

Last week I had the pleasure in appointing Kristian Szwedziuk and Lex Delamere-Ayling as the new School Captain and School Vice-Captain respectively.  This week I launched to the rest of Year 12 the Student Leadership Prefect Team application process.  Students will have the next two weeks to write a letter of application if they wish to be considered.  It is hoped that a decision of who will be selected will be made by the third week of March. 

This Friday the Parents' Association is hosting a Jam Tribute Night, one of a number of new events this year.  The evening starts at 7.30pm.  Do come along.

21 February 2017

Welcome back to Term 4, I hope you all had a good break.  I also hope that this blog is reaching a much larger audience.  Following the recent Parent Forum meeting it was suggested by parents that this blog should be emailed out each week via ParentMail as well as being posted on the School website.  For those who are new to these blogs, then welcome, and I hope they provide a small insight into the life of MGS.  I have just returned from Paris where I accompanied the senior rugby squad on the 2017 Paris Rugby Tour.  24 sixth form students enjoyed the half term playing two games of rugby (won one 40 – 0 and lost one 29 – 12), took part in four training sessions, watched Racing 92 play their weekly fixture and enjoyed the sights of Paris and took in much of its culture.  Thank you Mr Hathaway for making this tour happen, and I look forward to the next one.

From this week senior staff and staff who predominantly work in the Upper School meet each student from Year 11 to discuss their progress to date and their plans for next year and beyond.  These meetings play an important part in the advice and guidance we give to the students, and I hope the boys come away with a clearer understanding of what they need to do during these last few months before their GCSE examinations.  Yesterday I had the pleasure in interviewing the shortlisted candidates for the roles of School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  I always look forward to this day, but more especially offering the roles to the successful two.  Tomorrow we welcome parents of Year 10 students to the School to attend the Year 10 Parents’ Evening.  The boys in Year 10 are about one year away from their GCSEs and so tomorrow night is a chance for parents to understand how their sons are getting on and understand more the new GCSE grading system. 

A reminder to parents of students in Years 7 to 12, there are two opportunities next Monday 27 February and Tuesday 28 February to come into school and meet with me and key staff to answer any questions you may have regarding our expansion plans and reshaping of the Pastoral and House structures of the School.  The sessions start at 6pm, please email my PA, Mrs Friend, if you would like to attend on denise.friend@mgs-kent.org.uk   And finally congratulations to Jabez Cheeseman of 7S who has just secured the role of young Harry in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.  This is an amazing opportunity and a great thing for a Maidstonian to have achieved.  Well done Jabez.
 

 

7 February 2017

We have now dug the first hole to begin phase 1 of our 3 year building project.  On Wednesday last week we had a Ground Breaking Ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of the Performing Arts Building.  Governors, parents, staff, students and representatives from the Local Authority, the architects and the building contractors were all present to witness me dig the first hole.  It has taken a long time and a great deal of hard work to reach this point, but we are all now very pleased that we will see the building get built. 
Yesterday after school I met with the Parent Forum, a group of parents who act as my sounding board and provide me with a parental perspective into the future of the School.  Last night we talked about the expansion plans, the new vertical pastoral structure, the new assessment arrangements and how we are supporting young people with their mental health.  It was a very positive meeting and we all came away with a better understanding of how the School is developing and how it goes on ensuring that it works for the benefit of all of our students. 
This week, following last Friday’s deadline, we shortlist the applicants who have applied to be the next School Captain and school Vice-Captain.  13 students applied and the interviews take place the first day back after half term.  Today we will be asking Year 12 and all of the staff who they think should take up the two roles.  Watch this space. Tomorrow we welcome parents of Year 8 to attend their Parents’ Evening.
Year 8 is a crucial year as it is when the students choose the GCSE subjects they wish to study from next year.  Subject teachers will be on hand to provide essential feedback, and also teachers who teach some of our newer subjects will be on hand to provide information about their subject. 
At the weekend 70 cadets took part in a CCF Training Camp to prepare for a variety of different events coming up later this year.  The RAF Section took part in the preliminary round of the Air Squadron Trophy and came 4^th, successfully achieving a place in the Nationals.  A number of other cadets took part in some weapon handling training and the Cambrian Patrol Team Exercise.  All had a good weekend.
And Finally, William Luckhurst of Year 10 competed in the National Cold Water Championships a couple of weeks ago.  He was competing in the 15 -18 age range, and so was one of the youngest competitors there.  Despite this he secured Gold in two events namely the 90m freestyle, an absolute killer of an event in freezing water, and the 30m breaststroke.  He is now the National Champion in these two events. These results also put him in a good position for the World Championships in 2018.  Well done Will.

 

 

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.