section header The Maidstonian 2011/12 the maidstonian 2011/12 1 section header 2 the maidstonian 2011/12 Contents Contents section header Travel Interview 4 Captain’s Report 24 Futuroscope Report 5 Vice Captain’s Report 26 German Trip 27 World Challenge 2012 Mongolia Sports 28 Harvard Model United Nations 6 Rugby report Trip 2012 7 Curling/Senior 32 Maidstone Grammar School achievements reports Rugby Tour Charities Day Reports Other Events 8 House charity reports 34 Children In Need Charities Report Combined Cadet Force 35 Sport Relief 14 CCF Army section 36 Olympic Volunteer 16 CCF RAF section 37 The Queen’s Diamond 17 CCF Royal Navy section Jubilee Concert 18 CCF Contingent Commander’s report Leaving Staff Art, Culture and Music 38 Leaving Staff 20 Music Department PA Report 21 Summer Art Exhibition 42 MGS Parents’ Association 22 Globe Theatre trip Report 2011/12 23 BBC School Report the maidstonian 2011/12 3 Interview Captain’s Report It gives me the greatest In my final weeks at MGS I spoke to many of my fellow pleasure as School Captain Year 13 peers about what attracted them to MGS of Maidstone Grammar those 7 years ago. One thing stood out– tradition – installing pride into every student that attends MGS that School 2011/12 to be asked elevates Maidstone Grammar School over any other to write for the Maidstonian school. Such as the names on the wooden-panelled 2012 – the historic student boards in the hall, the red brick buildings, the gowns magazine that illustrates the in assemblies, the ringing of the bell, Speech Days, pride students have for MGS. the School Hymn and most notably the School Song. The tradition at MGS moulds a sense of community, It is fair to say that MGS has been the foundation comradeship and pride into its pupils and the ethos for both my academic and personal developments, and history of this great school is not taught but easily changes that I will take with me for the rest of my life. learnt by joining the rugby teams, CCF, prefect team or Within my role as School Captain I was responsible simply by singing the fine words of the School Song. for over 370 prefects to organise the likes of Speech Days, Curriculum Evenings and Open Days. Being School Captain was the most rewarding and overwhelming experience, however there is something The running of MGS has always been dependent upon I must note. Not many people are aware of the struggle its prefect system and I would once again like to take this I went through adapting to life at MGS when I joined in occasion to thank Emily, my School Vice-Captain, and Year 7, at one point debating on moving school. When my House Seniors as without their support the running I applied for the position I said I wanted to give back to of events and structures would have been impossible. MGS the support that the school and staff gave to me Over the academic year Emily and I oversaw the that enabled me to continue at the school. On Leavers running of the most successful 6th Form Council, Day I received a standing ovation from my year group; officially becoming a recognised body within the school this was for me the highlight of my time at MGS. I had alongside developing from scratch a bench project on completed the role to the standard that my year group the school field – our gift of prosperity for the years to were proud, proving to me I had achieved my aim as come highlighting the effectiveness of the MGS student School Captain. I cannot thank enough the many staff voice and indicating the commitment and passion the that have supported me over the past 7 years, especially councillors had for their school. In addition, the School Mrs Anderson, Mr Smith and form tutors who have Council played an important role in the appointment helped me achieve my potential and more at MGS. of Mr Tomkins as Headmaster. This was a surreal During my time at MGS I travelled across the world, experience for myself chairing the student panel and representing Barbados at the Harvard Model United for the councillors interviewing. I wish him the best Nations in Boston and visiting Strasbourg and Paris in of luck in his time at MGS; a proud, hard-working my lower years. In addition I was part of the winning RAF and enthusiastic Headmaster committed to continue Ground Training National Team, gained my wings in a tradition in developing a cohesive community as well Gliding Scholarship and was involved in music societies. as leading the school with new ideas to make sure Every student should take advantage of the plethora of MGS achieves the best from its pupils. academic and extra-curricular opportunities MGS offers Furthermore, the support MGS showed for charity was its pupils. Maidstone Grammar School has developed overwhelming; accumulating near to £17,000 for local, and shaped me into the person I am today and I have left national and international charities. Initially raising a the school as an Old Maidstonian with life qualities and record-sum of over £3000 for a single charities day, experiences that only MGS offers its pupils. When in Year Children In Need saw the 6th Form baking over 1000 7 in 2005 I would never have imagined finishing school at cakes and staging “MGS’ Got Talent” in the Big Hall. We MGS, let alone writing as the outgoing School Captain. then continued to break this record again when MGS Get involved and anything can happen. hosted Sport Relief, raising £3610.94 from events such as Olim Meminisse Juvabit the MGS Mile on the School Field. These records remain untouched and set a challenge for many years to come. Samuel Coppard School Captain 2011/12 4 the maidstonian 2011/12 Vice Captain’s Report Interview OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT! get the opportunity to represent MGS in hockey, cricket, rounders, basketball, lacrosse, and netball, as well There. I got it out of the way. as rowing at the county champs and playing rugby in You all knew it was coming the National Schools Sevens (it would be sacrilege to eventually, so why wait? not pay homage to Mr Rogers here: in pastures new, It must have been early 2010 but never forgotten). In addition, I was able to play when my younger brother piano at a few school concerts, travel to Paris, watch Alex brought home a copy of my friends bring home medals in nation-wide CCF The Maidstonian and plonked competitions, and, amidst orchestrating countless other it down on the table, providing me with some light school events, oversee the organisation of 8 Charities afternoon reading to serve as my procrastination for Days raising nearly £17000 throughout the year. the day. I recall very clearly flicking through, reading all This last achievement is something I am immensely the articles written by the teachers and students that proud of, and takes its rightful place on my CV. I sort make MGS what it is. Never did I imagine that I would of stumbled into the role of School Vice Captain, be contributing to it a few years later, writing from my disbelieving at every stage in the application process desk at university and thinking over what were the best that I would get through to the next (I am a girl, after two years of my school career. all). But somehow I made it, and what a way to spend I came to MGS in the midst of haunting self-doubt Year 13. This is where I really got to see MGS in all its and wavering confidence. Had I made a terrible glory. I worked with teachers, office staff, management, mistake? Was I a fool to leave my comfort zone and governors, the PA and students from Y7-13, as well old Invicta friends behind? Would the clouds of aerial as, in the interest of saving the best ’til last, Samuel testosterone pollute my mind and drag down my Coppard. It was a hectic year amongst university grades? In hindsight: no, no, and no. In a matter of applications and the small matter of completing A days the ostensible aphorisms I received from my levels, but Sam and I wouldn’t change it for the world. old school were entirely disproved (“It’ll be like being To return to my opening exclamation; yes, of course a year seven again!”, “Boys are disgusting!”, or my I will look back on my time at MGS and remember it personal favourite, “There just aren’t any carpets there!” fondly. I’m doing it now, in fact. But what’s even more (Senior Management desperately cried)), and safe in exhilarating is to look to the future. The wonderful the knowledge that there is definitely a carpet in Room friends I made at school now find themselves studying 60; I was assured that I was in the right place for me. for terribly interesting degrees around the country, or Some schools churn out kids with an A* in every A excelling in the world of work: we enter into the Real level under the sun but a resounding U in personality. World with bright prospects ahead. MGS itself is in the What immediately became clear to me upon my arrival process of discovering its own future, in the steady at MGS was that its students not only included some hands of new headmaster Mr Tomkins. Change is scary, of the most intelligent and thoughtful people I had and disconcerting.