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OM Newsletter (1992 S)

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OM Newsletter (1992 S) OLD MA I DSTON I AK SOOIETY NEWSLETTER — SUMMER BOM SECRETARY PRESIDENT BOM TREASURES Bernard Jfee But/ Veedon Roger Bravo 157 Vlllington Street 82 Reculver Walk Kaidstone Senacre Kent ME15 8ED Kaldstdne Kent MB15 8QT Tel: (0622) 765268 Tel: (0622) 765844 The introductory words to a newsletter are perhaps the hardest to find as they are invariably the first to be gazed upon by the reader. There cannot be many members left who have not heard af Dr Pettit's Impending retirement at the end of the present summer tern. Vhilst the last day of tern nay be a few weeks off yet departure from the Headmaster's residence is not until 31st August...somebody has to ensure that all the examination results are inspected and sent out to the hundreds of nervous candidates. After twenty years at the helm af K. G.S. the pressures of modern education have no doubt been a major influence in Dr Pettit's decision to leave now. Local papers have quoted him as saying part of the problem stems fron the national curriculum and opting out both of which have turned schools into a political football. However, rather than repeat media stories it is hoped that a special review can be included in the next edition. The Connaittee would like to shown its own appreciation af Dr Pettit's contribution to school life and his support of the Old Maidstanian Society. A separate letter is included with further details but a chance to say farewell has been organised for Saturday 11th July at the School starting at 7.30pm. It is pleasing to report that David Chater (1972) has recovered from his injuires received when shot by a sniper in Yugoslavia and is now back giving more on the spat stories far I.T.I. The Inclusion of news about two 0.H.s who are presently being detained at Her Majesty's pleasure brought same reaction from members. Host seemed to think that such news should be excluded as it cast a shadow over the usual high standards set by Maidstonians. The editor will take note of the comments and exercise discretion. 2 F*. A. J. IR . Cin 1OV3 > About a year after his arrival at Maidstone Grammar School, Dr Pettit gave an interview for the 'Haidstonian' magazine. Repeated here are some of the comments he made which certainly make Interesting reading twenty years on.•. Vhat were your first impressions of the School when you entered It? My first impression on returning from Higeria was a sense of relief. Sere was an established, well-organised school with a highly responsible staff. There was no need for ne to supervise the errection of extensive new buildings, no need to bargain for guinea-corn in the local market, no need to organise bed-bug campaigns in the boarding hostel on Saturday mornings, no need to diagnose cerebral aeningitis in the niddle of the night, and no need to resolve endless inter-tribal conflicts. By contrast here was a respect for tradition and for scholarship within a humane enviroment. And haw has your impression aatured? One becomes aware of the deficiencies of the buildings. For reasons of national financial exigency I fear that many of the developments I should welcome are more likely to be achieved as a result of improvisation in minor works programmes rather than by major capital programmes. Academically, the image of the School has been projected by the minority of pace-makers and by generally good examination statistics. Yet, I an now more aware of the large majority of boys of modest ability who can make a valuable contribution to society and achieve a worthwhile career. I think it essential that we give them due recognition without questioning the significance of Oxbridge scholarships. To what extent do you thin* that the School will be affected by the new system of education which has been adapted in Maidstone? Any change - however desirable - will have its critics; no system of human organisation is perfect. I am not prepared to say whether in the long run the scheme will be for the better or for worse. In this School it will mean certain changes, including some restructuring of our Third Year. Ve shall receive boys at a less malleable age from a variety of backgrounds, where different teaching methods have been employed and where staffing difficulties have varied. One does not anticipate that all boys will have reached the same standard in some cumulative subjects, so changes in the approach to the Third Form curriculum may be necessary - especially Modern Languages. I'm not here suggesting that we are going to suffer as a result of the scheme. Far one reason the scheme Itself demands a far greater degree of competition between schools, which can only be healthy. Secondly, I think I think there can be a feed-back to us and possibly sane of aur awn teaching techniques nay become nore provocative and stimulating as a consequence of methods employed in the high schools. The other area where I suspect that there nay be a significant development is in the Sixth Form. If boys of a wider ability range transfer to us for a five-year course, we are under an obligation to provide relevant education for them in the Sixth Form: a three 'A' level couree may not be appropriate for all. Some boys will take what I propose to call a 'Professional Course' which will supplement one or two 'A' level courses with '0' level subjects and a range of general studies. The latter would aim to give boys a greater civic and social awareness and to prepare them to adjust to employnent in industry, commerce and the professions. This may well involve time spent out of school acquiring the flavour of industrial organisation in several local firms. In other words, there will be changes; there will be difficulties; there can also be opportunities for interesting and stimulating developments. Providing that the scheme is operated by all schools in the spirit in which it was drafted, Maidstone Grammar School will continue to evolve as a worthy servant of the town and district. Vhat changes have you in mind for the School - other than those made necessary by changes in Maidstone's education system? I hope that the emphasis - I won't say "change" - we shall notice will be a relationship in which there is responsible co-operation between tutors and students, teachers and pupils. "Pastoral care" is a fashionable tern, but is nothing new; perhaps in a large school we have to institutionalise the provision for pastoral care by extending the role of the "year masters". Clearly there have to be rules and clearly if soneone flagrantly breaks rules, there have to be sanctions, but I should have hoped that most boys would respond to reasonableness and contribute to the corporate community of the School - to accept the guidelines for conduct (which are, in fact, the Rules) on the basis of responsible co-operation. This is the relationship I should welcome, but I well know that it will always be placed in Jeopardy by the "bolshy" attitude of individuals. I shall then expect the co-operation of parents. Do you think that the co-educational system is better than the single- sex system - or do you think rte are better as we are? I was agnostic on this point. I started teaching in a boys' school and then deliberately moved to a mixed school which had quite a different educational ethos. Bow I think that the mixed school facilitated more natural social relationships between the sexes and I doubt whether it made any significant difference to the academic standards achieved. However, it did lead - I am convinced of this - to a greater polarisation between arts and sciences than in single-sex schools: the majority of the boys turned to the sciences and the girls to the arts. That's obviously undesirable. I must confess some surprise that when parental choice is written into the scheme for reorganisation of secondary education in the Kaidstone District, parents of the upper school pupils lack the choice between mixed and single-sex schools. Saturally, I understand the financial problems of adapting buildings. However, given the fact that the upper schools are single-sex, it's my desire that we should develop natural social contacts, whether it's in a Sixth Form discotheque, a school play, a musical production, the Sailing Club, or through other approved activities. Many changes have occured to the educational system most being brought about by different Ministers of Education. These have escalated in the past few years and nobody could fail to have seen the numerous television debates or media articles. Those with children at school will know the day to day problems and O.K.'s in the teaching profession will be all to well aware of the changes brought about by Messrs. Joseph and Baker. A successor to Dr Pettit has been appointed by the Governors. He is Hell Turrell, age 45, and presently Headmaster at a comprehensive school in Stoke-on-Trent. More details In the next edition. MEMBERSHIP* The following rates are applicable to those Did Haidstonians wishing to take up a life membership of the Society: Opto 30 years old £45 31 to 50 years of age £30 Over 50 years old *15 (Those who have already taken up Life Membership are not required to make any further contribution). SUBSCR I T>T I CD 1ST The Ordinary Subscription rate is now £3.00 per annum.
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