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OM Newsletter (1994 J)

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OM Newsletter (1994 J) OI.-D MA X OS-XOBT I AIM £>OG I E'JTTf NEWSLETTER — JANUARY //Off SECRETARY PSES1DBXT HON TREASURER Bernard Kee Henry Barley Roger Brown 157 Villlngton Street 63 Reculver Valk Jfaidstone Seaacre Kent ME15 BED Maidstone Kent ME15 8QT Tel: (0022) 765268 Tel: (0632) 765844 At a time of year when tt is traditional to give and receive gifts one wonders how the Headmaster nf Maidstone Grammar School feels? Sot that be was feeling particularly uafestive. Ho, it was decreed by somebody in higher office that the Inspection Report would be delivered to him on 24th December. Did the 'angel' bring tidings of good news or was it something that could have been used to stuff the turkey? X.C.S. had the honour, if it could ever be, nf being one of the first schools to be inspected by OFSTED under the new regulations. A twelve strong team of "approved" inspectors spent o ful] week (50 man-days) in school, appearing without notice in lessons. About two-thirds of their tine was spent observing; they interviewed senior staff and selected students in depth and collected about 150 pages of statistics. The boys did the school proud and the staff found that they were ail teaching extra well that week. The informal report appears generally favourable although it is difficult to adapt to 'satisfactory1 as a term of approval. Some staff found it harrassing not to beable to explain their lesson in detail and frustrating not to receive individual feedback. On a lighter side, the fallowing comment was heard: U6 student, "Kiss, what would you be doing specially in this lesson if the inspector was here?" Teacher, "He's sitting behind you!" However much we dislike inspectors - and how many of uu have then within our own industries? - they do have an important job which keeps everybody on their toes. Perhaps in the long run it does mean better standards. ^Something that M.G.S. can be proud of are the latest examination results. Again, the dreaded league tables have appeared. The School shows up well, as indeed it should. 1993 results appear as follows: 2 G.C.S.E, 100* 5 or morn Grades A to G G. C.S.I:. 97£ 5 or more Grades A to C 'A' Level 93% total pass rate (points score 18.1 = Just above 3 Grade C's) Truancy 0% (actually 0.02£> The figures are not entirely as simple as they seem. Hany newspapers present the figures in league tables whilst the D.O.E. list then alphabetically. The position in a league can depend critically on Just one result; e.g. M.C.S. would move up six places in the GCSE order if one student had obtained a 'C instead of a 'D1 in just one subject. All grammar schools are very close: one more pupil with 5 A-C instead of 4 A-C makes Ht% difference which is about six places. The year used for the GCSE tables is based on age only. Tt includes all those who took GCSE under age a year ago (in 1992) but excludes those who did so this year (1993). At 'A1 Level the average points score also reflects the policy of entry to the Sixth Form and on the number of examinations that can be taken. Some of the main competitors in the school stakes have much stricter limits on entry so it wns pleasing to see that 'The Guardian' tables took this into account. These show how well schools did for 'A' Level by comparison with their GCSE intake. In London and Home Counties K.G.S. was the best state boys grammar school in this respect in all categories of ability. Truany raises the question as to what is 'authorised' and was is 'unauthorised' absence? Does a parent do the authorising? * * * The increased numbers at Year Seven (i.e. ll-plua tranferees) has given the School a valuable opportunity to bring in young staff with new ideas and restore a reasonable; age balance in the staff room. The timetable needs a degree in mathematics to understand both for the pupils and staff. How many times have two groups arrived for lessons in the same room? Nobody's telling. Remember the Fives Court? After more than twenty years of standing idle and providing a home fox birds new life is being put into them. In fact, they are being renovated to provide two classrooms, each on two levels. Hopefully, this will only hn short term but, then, how long have the huts being just a temporary measure? So, if you have a spore £.?, million then please contact the Headnaster promptly. Hew building-; would be nice out like everything else given from Government one must wait their turn. 3 LETTER FROM. .. It is always pleasing to include stories provided by 0. M. s and below is a letter received from Kike Vanstall, who left in 1950. Those who know of Mike will be delighted to learn of his news (in the third paragraph)■■• "In the immediate past war years the resumption of the county cricket programme was just one more step in the process af returning to normality. Like many others, both before and since, we used to slip across to Kate Park during Kaidstone Cricket Veek to watch our heros - Godfrey Evans, Doug Wright, Arthur Fagg, Leslie Todd, et al. I retired last year <1992> after a working life spent In the Civil Service, mostly spent in the Inland Revenue (13 years) and what is now the Department of the Enviroment (28 years). In the D.O.E. I met Fran* Sando, ex-JC.G.S. , who in his day was a well known international athlete. But back to cricket. This summer I have spent several days watching Kent with a small group of similarly retired friends from D.O.E. and early in July we came to Haidstone. This time I sneaked back in the reverse direction and walked around a surprisingly empty school for the first time since 1950. I gathered from Sell Turrell, who- accosted me on my tour, that he had given the school - but not the staff - a day off! As you can imagine, many memories were stirred as I walked around. At the end af my Civil Service career I was lucky enough to be awarded the C.B.E. I have included a rather light hearted account of the investiture that was written for my church magazine..." " -fce> see; -t2ae Queen" "The letter read: lI am commanded to inform you that an Investiture will be held on Tuesday Hay 19th 1992 at which your presence Is requested.' The day dawns fine and sunny. Up early, put on grey morning suit with tail coat, top hat, etc. Feel like something out of 'Ky Fair Lady'. Jean in new dress, cream jacket and navy hat - all very smart. Have decided to drive up - parking provided in Palace. Journey up horrendous; temperature (and tempers) rising, traffic was unbelievable, It's the first day of the Chelsea Flower Show! Eventually arrive at the Palace and go to drive in. Turned away by policeman - "Vould you please join the queue by the Victoria JCemorlal?' Full security check on the car, then we drive in through the Palace gates. Smart salute from the Guards sentries. Enjoyed that, can we go round again? Park car in courtyard and begin to get the feel of the occasion. Lots of ladies in new outfits and men in Xoss Bros, morning dress. Consternation! Everybody else In black morning coat! Have I got it wrong? Relief as I see one or two others in grey. Ho cameras allowed in the Palace itself but here the sound of clicking shutters is everywhere. Leave Jean, Karen and Heather who go direct to the Ballroom. I So in separate entrance and up to Queen's Picture Gallery. Smile at Life Guard on stairs. 5a response! In the Gallery we are corralled into groups according to award and penned in maroon roped enclosures. Kendnds me of "One Kan and Bis Dog" on BBC2. Everybody trying to look relaxed but n<uch wiping of sweaty palms. Ve are briefed by one of the 'sheepdogs s Valk firmly along the red carpet, turn towards the Queen, small bow and walk forward. She will hang the decoration round your neck, speaking to you as she does so. When she shakes your band it's time to go. Take a few steps back, another small bow, aod off you go". Just to make sure we ve got it lie walks it through to show us. Ve are then assembled in small groups and led, crocodile fashion, to the Ballroom. Get a chance to see what the others do. Begin to notice one or two well known faces. There is a call for Ian Voosman, who is apparently missing. Well, he-s only a little chap! Then I'm walking across the carpet. Stop by Gentleman usher and wait for name to be called. Here we go - remember bow, step forward. Queen at least seems totally cool and relaxed. Kind, she-s done It before. Then the handshake, step back, small bow and out 1 go. Take my seat in the Ballroom and watch rest of the ceremony. Jean, Karen and Heather are close by, up on tiered seats with a good view. Become aware that there s a military band playing at the back. Suddenly it is all over. Everybody stands. Sational Anthem. Queen leaves with her Equerry and others.
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