News-Letter-SUMMER-2017.Pdf
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Mayfield Grammar School Gravesend NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2017 Another school year draws to an end and we look forward not only to our Summer break but also to the days in August when our A Level, GCSE and AS Level candidates return to school to collect their results. Despite the reduction in student numbers during the Summer months life in school has been extremely busy. There have been a number of visits and trips during this term and a number of sporting fixtures and Duke of Edinburgh events that have been well supported by staff and pupils. In school our two Curriculum Enrichment Days were a huge success with various events and activities taking place across the school. Many thanks to Mrs Jones and all other staff for organising these activities. I know all our pupils greatly appreciated the efforts and support of staff. In addition our annual Graduation Ball recently took place for all those Year 13 students who have now completed their time with us. My thanks to the Parents’ Association, Mrs Absolon, and the Premises and Catering staff for making the event such a huge success. As Year 13 students depart for pastures new we also welcomed Year 6 pupils into the school as part of their Induction day in preparation for joining us in September. My thanks to all our current pupils, but particularly Year 7 girls for making our “guests” feel so welcome. I know all the Year 6 pupils had a thoroughly enjoyable day and my thanks also to Mr Gordon, Mrs Kemp and Miss Etherington for all their efforts in organising this event and for the many Primary School visits they and other staff have undertaken in the last few weeks. For the third year running the school has admitted an additional form of Year 7 entry in our continued efforts to support parents in our local community. Consequently, we have been working closely with the Local Authority and the Education Funding Agency to develop and build new facilities for all our students. Some parents may remember the consultation meeting held at the school back in January. I am delighted to inform that the first part of our building programme will take place this summer, where a new sixth form study area and social space will be developed. This will then lead to the refurbishment of our dining hall, together with a new kitchen and servery area. Unfortunately, this work is unlikely to be completed by September, so please bear with us at the start of the new academic year as we operate before our new facilities are complete. There will be two new classrooms added to the I.N. site this summer which means students may have to relocate for some lessons when further building work commences on the main site. Clearly our priority will be to keep disruption to a minimum, but we recognise that investment of this scale in schools doesn't come along too often, so hopefully some inconvenience next year will bring much needed new facilities for all our students to enjoy and benefit from. I will endeavour to publish more details for parents in the Autumn, as more information about the expansion plans become available. Our last newsletter of the academic year also contains details of many other events that have taken place over the last few months, including the Art Exhibition, Music Concert and Fun Run. Finally, my best wishes to all pupils, staff, parents and Governors who have supported the school throughout another very successful year and I hope you all enjoy a relaxing summer break. Mrs Wilson, Headteacher STAFF NEWS January 2017 Mrs Sandeford was appointed in 2009 as School Business Manager, taking her place alongside the Senior Leadership Team. Responsibilities in this regard included oversight of matters such as budget, personnel issues, P.A. liaison, premises management and many more duties. However, despite the role being largely office-based, throughout her 7 years at MGSG, Mrs Sandeford was very visible around school and always willing to get involved with wider activities such as accompanying trips and visits – including Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and leading our school trip to China. Mrs Sandeford left her position in January this year after deciding that she wanted to reduce her working hours. We are grateful that Mrs Sandeford is still available to assist us from time to time but I am pleased she will gain time to spend with her family and wish her well for the future. April 2017 Dr Morris completed a PhD in Photochemistry in 2004. With a professional background in academia and education, as well as enjoying volunteering as a youth worker, he decided to train as teacher in 2011. In 2012, he was appointed as a newly qualified Teacher of Science at our school. Dr Morris has been a highly effective, efficient teacher with in depth subject knowledge, assisting many students in achieving their potential. In addition, Dr Morris supported the belief that whilst academic success is desirable, students gaining lifelong skills that can be transferred to wider aspects of life is immensely important. In 2014, Dr Morris was appointed as Duke of Edinburgh Assistant Leader where he played an active role, accompanying and transporting students to a variety of extra-curricular activities. Dr Morris has now relocated to another part of the country and we thank him most sincerely for all he has done for our school and wish him every future success in his new school. April 2017 Mr Houston joined the school in 2008 as a Teacher of Design & Technology and was subsequently promoted to the post of Subject Leader of DT in 2009 and then Faculty Leader of Creative Arts in 2013. Mr Houston quickly made a significant contribution and impact on the delivery of Design & Technology. His overall aim was to ensure every student experiences design technology in a challenging and engaging way and to push every individual to achieve their full potential. Mr Houston was greatly respected for his skills and passion for all aspects of DT including design, fashion, art, textiles, graphics, animation, resistant materials and food technology. He contributed massively to the success of students, inspiring many to continue with their creative studies beyond school and into Higher Education. Mr Houston has since moved away from Kent and is pursuing experiences outside of teaching. We are very grateful for all of his hard work over the years, he will be greatly missed but wish him the best of luck for the future. May 2017 Mr Boyce qualified as a Teacher of Mathematics in 2010 and he was recruited to our school in 2011. He was an effective and versatile teacher who was successful in motivating and encouraging students so that they wanted to achieve their best. Mr Boyce had excellent relationships with both staff and students and was always willing to go the extra mile in support of school life. In 2012, he took up the position of Year 7 Learning Leader, making a great success of the role, doing everything possible to ensure that incoming students enjoyed their transition to secondary school. Mr Boyce, also had energy and enthusiasm, could be counted upon to fully engage in school events, He was always keen to participate in fancy dress, sporting or charitable activities (including running the London Marathon in our school kilt for charity). He freely gave time to accompany trips and visits and with a keen interest in football and karate, he was able to lead his own clubs whilst also actively supporting our school’s extra-curricular events. With this in mind, he was the perfect candidate to coordinate the Adventure Service Challenge which was first introduced to Year 7 in 2015. Mr Boyce certainly made an impression on colleagues and students throughout his time at our school and is missed by many. However, we are delighted that he secured a promotion to the position of Director of Mathematics in a school nearer to home and wish him every future success. Mr Busfield and Mr Reaveley both joined our school earlier this year to cover absent or departed colleagues. I thank them both for their commitment to the school and enthusiasm for their respective subjects, wish them well for the future and hope they remain in touch with the school. Mrs Wilkinson was appointed in 2015 as Teacher of English, bringing with her, considerable experience gained from over 35 years of teaching. Our students have benefited greatly from her teaching throughout the two years that she has been with us. Mrs Wilkinson has always been kind, cheerful and willing to help. She will be missed by our school community, but leaves with our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement. Mr Nicholls came to our school in 2014 as a trainee teacher and joined our teaching staff the following year. Throughout that time, Mr Nicholls has played an active part in extra-curricular activities such as trips and assisting with clubs. He also established excellent relationships with students and has always been prepared to provide help whenever required. Mr Nicholls leaves our school today to experience new opportunities and we wish him well for the future. Ms Wheeler has been working as part of our Learning Supervisor team since January 2014 and the following year, also took on the role of Duke of Edinburgh Award Assistant Co-ordinator. She has been a dedicated supporter of the scheme and has contributed greatly to the success of many students in achieving the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Ms Wheeler has also given much time freely to assist with clubs, fixtures, trips and other activities.