Tuesday 30 January 2018

Firstly I would like to thank Mr Ferguson, the deputy head, who wrote my Headmaster's Blog in my absence last week.  On Thursday 18 January, just three days before the Year 12 Harvard trip was due to leave, Mr Gymer had to pull out as he was too ill to travel.  He was extremely disappointed as he had worked incredibly hard for months planning the trip and supporting the 24 students prepare for its rigour.  I instead stepped in at the last minute and so was out of school last week, but did keep in regular contact with the Senior Leadership a Team ensuring that things were well at MGS. 

Despite the last minute preparations that I needed to make, I am so pleased I went.  It was such a pleasure spending the week with the students.  The Harvard trip has been part of this school for over 10 years, but it wasn't until last week that I really appreciated what went on.  Seeing Maidstonians debate numerous in depth and complicated issues on a global scale with delegates representing over 50 countries was humbling.  I had complete respect for all of them, sometimes wishing that I had had a similar opportunity when I was at school.  I wish to thank all 24 students, as well as Ms Mason and Mrs Van Mol for making the week one in which I will never forget.  It has taught me a lot and encouraged me to think differently about the work that I do and the role that I undertake.  Thank you.

Now I am back in school, the job of leading MGS continues.  Last night I chaired an SLT meeting that considered the feedback the school received following Tony Smith's visit two weeks ago.  His report highlighted a number of things that we could now consider and so action will now be taken to address them.

Tomorrow the MGS Development Fund welcomes donors and supporters to an event in the evening to say thank you.  The school has started building the new pavilion and the Development Fund has now reached a point that can support it.  The evening will consist of a few speeches from key people involved in the project, but mainly provide an opportunity for supporters to engage with each other and meet those involved.

And on Friday, the annual MGS Parents' Association Quiz Night takes place.  This year the quiz has the theme, 'The 100 Years Quiz', and already a number of teams have registered their interest.  If you are interested and can get a team together then please do contact the school before Friday.  The quiz starts at 7.30pm.  See you there.

And finally, congratulations to Lewis King of Tonbridge House who has made the reduced squad for the England Roller Hockey Team following successful training sessions all season.  Well done Lewis.

 

 

23 January 2018

Although we had a cold, wet and snowy weekend, it is strangely starting to feel like spring is only just around the corner. A few small buds have started appear on the trees around us, but more noticeably in school, it is the feel of the senior year groups that really leaves the impression that the summer exam season really isn’t far off. Year 13 have just completed their Trial Exams and Year 11 really have started to find the momentum needed for the summer. We will be publishing our calendar of revision classes in the next week or so to support all with this challenging, but exciting time.

 

Sometimes schools can seem like they are forgetting the younger years when so much energy and focus looks like it goes into the exam groups, but that is never the case at MGS. The plans for Extended Learning Week are starting to gather pace, the Year 8s have just completed their exams, Years 7 and Year 8 have responded brilliantly to the demands of the new Homework Timetable and Years 9 and 10 are currently setting remarkably high standards as they work through the initial stages of their GCSEs. Academically, there are things happening in every year group and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and energy of all of the MGS community.

 

The school’s football teams are continuing to do battle in the later rounds of major national competitions and it was fascinating to see Mr Hathaway’s 1^st XV Development Squad take on Hayes last Wednesday. This is a team made up of Year 11 and 12 students, who will form the majority of next year’s senior rugby team. It’s always a funny feeling as you realise the great players you have had during the year will soon be leaving, only then to see the exciting development of the younger players ready to seize their opportunity. This past weekend, MGS students also took part in the Kent Cross-Country Championships, with all eleven students performing well. Ben Hughes (8^th of 88) and Hamish O’Reilly (14^th of 88) particularly shone in the Intermediate Competition, and Oliver Brownridge (5^th of 108) Alistair Shelley (1^st of 108) excelled in the Year 7 Competition. As with the academics, MGS is never standing still and at the same time as everything else going on, we also send our best wishes to all those who departed for Harvard this past weekend for what will be a truly unique experience. A short and busy term, but an exciting start to 2018.

 

R Ferguson

Deputy Head

Tuesday 16 January 2018

Tuesday 16^th January 2018

Yesterday and today Mr Tony Smith, former Headteacher of Dartford Grammar School, is spending time in school to look at what we do with a fresh pair of eyes.  During his time he will be walking the school, speaking with staff and students and visiting lessons.  The outcome of his visit will provide us with a further opportunity to reflect on our practices and consider different ways of doing things.

Yesterday after school, I chaired the Extended Senior Leadership Team meeting looking at a number of aspects of the school; which was then followed by attending the January Development Fund Committee and Old Maidstonian Committee meetings.  Lots of different initiatives were discussed but all having a focus on how they both continue to support the workings of the school.

All of this week Year 13 students are completing their mock examinations which will provide them, their families and us with feedback on how they have progressed since their Year 12 examinations and what now needs to be done before the real examinations in the summer. Good luck everyone.

Tonight after school the teaching staff have an extended meeting continuing to look at what learning is going on in our classrooms and how we are extending that learning to outside of the classroom.  Year 7 and 8 students will have moved onto a homework timetable and it is vital that new working habits develop to support how students learn and organise themselves.

On Friday, I am attending the Grammar School Heads’ Association Steering Group meeting in Birmingham as one of the Kent representatives.  The Group meets three times a year and is made up of headteachers that represent all the grammar schools across the country.  A number of things will be discussed.

Congratulations to the U16 Football Squad who successfully reached the last 16 of the English Schools’ National Cup Tournament beating Thomas Tallis School 2 – 1.  Scorers were Bash Ryan and Will Haywood.  This is a fantastic achievement for the squad and the entire school.  Best wishes to the boys in the next round.

Tuesday 9 January 2018

Welcome back everyone; I hope you all had a good Christmas, and Happy New Year.

The term has started well with a number of events already underway.  Last week years 7 and 8 had an assembly to hear about their new homework timetable which they will now be working from.  Year 12 also had an assembly to hear about the process that now begins to find the next Senior Prefect Team and next School Captain and School Vice-Captain.  We await their applications.

This week Year 8 students are completing examinations to help them make more informed choices when deciding upon their GCSE options.  And at the same time Year 13 students are continuing to revise for their mock examinations that take place next week.

On Thursday this week we welcome parents of Year 9 students to attend the Year 9 Parents’ Evening.  This is the first opportunity that parents will hear about their child’s progress following the beginning of the three-year GSCE period which started back in September.

Congratulations to Simon Coppard of Corpus Christi House who has been accepted on the 2018 Advanced Academy in Sporting Excellence Programme.  He is one of only 200 athletes, chosen by the National Governing Body, to have been selected to participate in this National Sports Qualification.  Well done Simon.

19 December 2017

Welcome to my last blog of 2017. 
In these last few days there are still plenty of events that are keeping us busy.  Last night was the A Level Presentation Evening where we invited last year's Year 13 to return to school to receive their A Level certificates.  About 60 students of the year group, accompanied by their families, joined us for a drink and a few nibbles whilst enjoying catching up with each other before I presented them with their certificates.  It is always pleasing to see Old Maidstonians return to their school.
Tonight is the MGS Carol Service which takes place at All Saints Church at 7.30pm.  The Service will follow a traditional format: hearing lessons and singing carols, before we all enjoy a mince pie and glass of mulled wine.  If you are free then please do come along.
Tomorrow is the end of term and so I will be delivering the usual Christmas assembly to the entire school before finishing around 2pm.  Following this the staff will be gathering together for a moment to say goodbye to Mr Goddard and Mr Darby who are leaving the MGS community.  We wish them well in their new futures.
Finally I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and peaceful New Year.  See you in 2018.

 

 

Tuesday 12 December 2017

I hope you all enjoyed the first snowfall of the year at the weekend.  Fortunately there was no need to shut the school!  Sadly, due to the inclement weather at the weekend all of the rugby matches against Judd were cancelled, which is a shame as many of the players look forward to the fixture.  Despite the cold weather the CCF Recruit Camp still too place.  Thank you to the members of staff and other volunteers who gave up their weekend to support the cadets.  I hope everyone was able to stay warm and dry.

Yesterday The Salvation Army Toy Appeal ended with all of the gifts being placed under the MGS Christmas tree before being delivered to the charity later in the afternoon.  Thank you so much to everyone who donated a present; once again we have been overwhelmed with the response.  As I mention this I also wish to thank Corpus Christi House for staging the Charity Day on Friday.  The total amount raised is still to be calculated, but many students and members of staff were getting involved throughout the day donating money.

With Christmas fast approaching there are a number of events coming up this week and next before we finish next Wednesday.  Last night the Parents' Association ran the annual wreath making event, which was again well attended.  Tonight the SLT enjoy a festive meal together after work, which will be followed by two days of Christmas lunches on Wednesday and Thursday served by Independent Catering.  And next Tuesday is the annual MGS Carol Service at All Saints Church starting at 7.30pm.  If you fancy singing a few carols and enjoying a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine then please do come along.

Also this week I held a Parent Forum meeting on Monday; parents of year 8 students will be invited in on Thursday to attend the Year 8 Information Evening to hear about the GCSE options process which begins straight after the Christmas holiday, and linked to this on Thursday and Friday Year 8 take part in their Careers Day where they begin to consider what kinds of things they would like to do after leaving school.

And on Friday we invite students and staff to wear their Christmas jumpers to raise money for Save The Children.  This has become an annual event in the MGS calendar which coincides with the national campaign to wear your Christmas jumpers to work.  Let's hope many join in.

 

 

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Firstly I would like to send out a huge thank you to everyone involved in last week's school production of School of Rock.  Cast, crew and musicians should all be very proud of themselves.  There were so many positive comments each morning following the night's performances, and these, plus the size of the audiences, were testament to the quality of the production.  This was the best school production in recent years.  A massive thank you to the members of staff, led by Mrs Brooks, who have supported the students over the last three months; to the Parents' Association who supplied refreshments each night, and to all the prefects who acted as ushers.  Well done everyone. Last week the U16 football squad won the 5^th round of the National Cup beating Heathside Academy in Weybridge 1-0.  This puts them through as one of the last 16 teams in the competition. They performed brilliantly and did the school proud. The U15B squad is also through to the last 16 of their National Cup competition.  They beat Plume Academy from Chelmsford 3-1 yesterday afternoon.  Well done boys.  The U14 team also have the same opportunity today, so good luck to them. Yesterday we welcomed over 30 visiting headteachers, senior staff and bursars who attended a training session here looking at the new data protection regulations which will come into force next May.  Please look out for any changes we make in how we collect and store data over the coming months. Tonight is the first parents' evening of the year.  We welcome parents of year 12 students to hear from subject staff about how their children are progressing with their A Level studies.  We hope it is an informative evening. Tomorrow is a busy day. Mr Ferguson and I are attending a course at Dartford Girls Grammar School looking at how schools develop thinking in the classroom; Year 11 students will be receiving their mock exam results just as they would on results day in August; and another reminder that the MGS choir will be performing a few Christmas carols in town supporting the Demelza House Carolathon.  Friday is the second House Charity Day and this time it is Corpus Christi’s.  The usual non-uniform and fun activities will be taking place during the day, but it is at this charity day where we also ask for food items to be donated to support the local homeless charity.  It is also the day when The Salvation Army comes into school to collect the many toys and presents that have been donated by you.  Once again the response from you all has been incredible. And finally there are two Parents’ Association events this weekend.  On Friday night there is the MGS PA Race Night and on Saturday is an already planned trip to Lille.  Thank you to the Parents’ Association for arranging these two events and if you would like to come along on Friday night to the race evening, then please do.

 

 

 

 

28 November 2017

Congratulations to the Year 11 boys who played a brilliant game of football in the 4^th round of the National School Cup last Wednesday beating St Thomas’ College in Dulwich 5 - 4.  Well done boys.  They now progress to the 5^th round of the competition.

Sadly due to the cold weather over the weekend the home rugby fixtures against St Olaves were cancelled.  Many of the players were looking forward to the tough competition, but hopefully they will be rescheduled at another time.  The away teams did get a chance to play but with mixed fortune.  I am pleased to report though that the 1^st XV won pretty confidently 33 – 12.  Well done lads. The next big match is on Saturday 9 December when MGS plays The Judd School! 

Also at the weekend the RAF Section attended RAF Honington for the Air Cadet Organisation National Drill Finals.  MGS was there as the best of over 200 CCF units against the best of the Air Training Corps regions. Sadly we did not place in the Drill Finals but did win the Inspection phase of the competition and therefore are the best turned-out cadets in the entire organisation.  The cadets met the Commandant Air Cadets: Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty who congratulated them for their efforts.  Thank you to everyone who went along and well done to all the cadets.

This week we see four enthusiastic performances of this year’s school production School of Rock.  Cast, musicians and crew, supported by many members of staff have been rehearsing hard for the last three months.  Good luck to them all and ‘break a leg.’  The first performance is on Wednesday at 7.30pm.  Do come along.

An advance notice on Wednesday 6 December the MGS choir will be performing a few Christmas carols in town supporting the Demelza House Carolathon.  They will be performing at 12pm, so if you are in town Christmas shopping please do go along and support.

21 November 2017

Firstly I would like to thank the prefect team for organising last Friday's Children In Need Charity Day.  Everyone in the school came in non-uniform, 700 cakes were made and sold, and some of the sixth form students took part in a 12 hour table tennis marathon.  I would particularly like to acknowledge the school captain, Kristian, who played table tennis for the entire time.  Well done Kristian and thank you everyone.

Yesterday the Year 11 mock exams finished so the students are back in school from today.  Over the next two weeks, teachers will be marking their exams and compiling the results before they are issued on Wednesday 6 December at the Mock Results Day.  During that time teachers will also be writing their reports which will go home just before the end of term and provide an insight into how Year 11 are performing.

This week is another slightly quieter one.  Rehearsals for School of Rock enter their final week before putting on four performances the following week, and I am attending the annual Kent Association of Headteachers Conference on Thursday, which is an opportunity for all Kent heads to network, share ideas and come away with some new ideas that could be incorporated into our schools.

14 November 2017

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who supported last week's Post 16 Open Evening.  It was a very busy evening welcoming current and future students and parents to see what we offer in the sixth form.  Once again the prefects, helpers and tour guides were a credit to the school, and thank you to many parents who provided positive and valuable feedback.  We look forward to welcoming a new Year 12 cohort in September.
On Saturday I enjoyed a tense but exciting 1st XV rugby match against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.  It is the very first rugby match I have watched that saw no tries.  The final score, fortunately, was 3-0 to us.  Well done boys.
Thank you to the 68 CCF cadets and members of staff who attended the Remembrance Service in Maidstone on Sunday.  Remembrance is very important to MGS and we feel very proud indeed to be asked to attend the town’s service and lay a wreath in memory of all the Maidstonians who sadly lost their lives in conflict.
After two busy weeks following October half term, this week is slightly quieter.  This week sees the beginning of the Year 11 mock exams.  Year 11 students have six days of mock examinations that will provide them and us some understanding of how well they are doing to date, and how well they will do next summer.  Good luck boys and keep revising hard.
Rehearsals continue and intensify for this year's school production.  School of Rock, but the MGS version, starts on Wednesday 29 November for a four day season.  The students and staff involved have been rehearsing a lot behind the scenes(!), but in the last week they have moved their rehearsals to the main hall which reminds them that the first night is not too far away.
And on Friday the annual BBC Children In Need Appeal takes place.  The theme this year is, ‘Wear something in your house colours’, so hopefully we will see seas of red, yellow, blue and green around the school.  Please do support the day.  Also on Friday I am accompanying Mr Stone and Ms Lancaster to a meeting at Rainham Mark Grammar School in Gillingham.  As part of the Kent and Medway Headteachers’ Association, the heads of mathematics and English are meeting to reflect on the new GCSE examination in their subjects and establish what the picture was across the county.