MGS TIMES April 2014 Dear Parent/Carer Welcome to this Easter Newsletter. Like every Spring Term, this one has been incredibly busy. Even though the Autumn Term is the longest in any school, it is the Spring Term that requires everyone to go to the next level in preparation for the summer examinations, and this year has been no exception. Once again I firstly wish to thank everyone: staff, students, governors and yourselves for the ongoing support and hard work being put in to ensure we achieve the best. This time last year I said the ‘wheels of change are beginning to turn,’ and sometimes change brings with it anxieties and challenges. But I have to say that the school community has embraced the return to its values and traditions, and even more so now that our history is playing a significant part to our future. We have enjoyed the ‘honeymoon period’ following the Ofsted Inspection back in September and are now working on improving the school further; ensuring that the outstanding practice is witnessed in all areas of the school particularly with what goes on in the classroom. We have had a number of conversations and made some important decisions about our curriculum (in preparation for the new changes coming in over the next two years); our homework policy and practices have been reviewed ready for September to ensure we further develop independence and ownership amongst the students but also provide a slightly more structured approach; and we have begun to look at how we can improve our quality of questioning in the classroom to strengthen challenge and reasoning. All of these initiatives will hopefully make a positive impact on learning and so levels of achievement. This year I have been particularly pleased with the many positive responses from students, staff and parents about the re-introduction of Subject Teacher Consultation Evenings. The evenings provide an important opportunity for teaching staff, parents and students to discuss progress and have been positively welcomed by many. I hope that you all have benefitted from the evenings and now understand more how you and we can continue to support your child. This term the school has been busy preparing for the Development/Alumni Fund Launch in September. A committee has now been set up consisting of key staff who can contribute to the development of the project. This will gradually expand to include students, parents and Governors. Part of the preparations was hosting an evening inviting a small group of parents into school to act as my sounding board. They listened to the presentation that I intend to deliver from September to all parents, and acted as critical friends providing constructive advice and suggestions. Thank you once again to all those parents who attended; their support will allow me to be better prepared for the launch in September. This Easter not only marks the end of Term 4 but it is also when we say goodbye to two members of staff. Mrs Anderson has been a part of the MGS family for just under 8 years and she now embarks on a new exciting journey as Headmistress at Spalding Grammar School in Lincolnshire. Mrs Anderson started at MGS back in the September of 2006 and quickly set to work transforming the pastoral structure of the school. Her legacy will be the effective structure that we see today. She has basically achieved her main objective: to create a pastoral structure that is fit for purpose, supportive of teaching and learning and keeps track on every single student. She. has also been in charge of many other areas of the school, particularly the Prefect Team. They are certainly the flagship of the school and I know I speak for many current and past Prefects, Vice Captains and School Captains that she will be incredibly missed. Mrs Anderson is not just Mrs Pastoral though; she has worked very closely with Mr Smith in developing teaching and learning and she certainly leads by example in the classroom. Her lesson during Ofsted was one of three lessons that were picked out by the Inspection Team as exemplary. As a teacher she knows what learning is and is able to draw out from her students a love for her subject. I have only had the pleasure of working with her during the last two years, but she has been there whenever I needed her. She is an extremely knowledgeable, experienced and skilled leader who knows what is right for MGS. It has been a pleasure working alongside her, get- ting to know her as a colleague and friend. I wish her all the success and best in her new role. She will make an excellent Headmistress and we look forward to hearing about how her school evolves over the coming years. We will miss Mrs Anderson. Mrs Cordrey began working at Maidstone Grammar School in the Canteen in 1995. This was when our canteen supplied cooked food in tins for the local primary schools. Mrs Cordrey used to work at one of the primary schools and “popped” up to help out now and again. The Head Cook at that time, saw what a diligent worker she was and asked her if she would like to come and work at MGS as a Kitchen Assistant. Mrs Cordrey accepted the challenge and within a relatively short time became Assistant Cook. She came – and never left – until now!! Mrs Cordrey joined the Front Office in February 2000 as a Reprographics Assistant and worked happily away until a vacancy came up as the Receptionist in September of the same year. The rest, as they say, is history!! She has now made the difficult decision to leave MGS to enable her to look after her ageing father and also her very lively grandchildren. She is also excited about travel- ling with her husband – outside of the school holidays!! We wish her well and would like to take this op- portunity to thank her for her dedication, commitment and loyalty during her 19 years of service to Maid- stone Grammar School. Returning to the successes this term, I wish to point out a few before you go on to read about more: In rugby, Maidstone Grammar School is now the Kent U18 Girls 7s Champions. We went undefeated throughout the entire tournament beating Sutton Valance School in the final 20 – 5. Well done girls, con- gratulations, and thank you to Mr Hart who helped steer them to victory. In football we reached the Kent Cup Final at both U13 and U19 level. Unfortunately we were unsuccess- ful at the U13 level but the achievement of reaching the final of a competition that started with 96 teams must not go unnoticed. The boys played extremely well with enthusiasm and drive, always had their heads up despite the position they were facing, and most certainly represented the school. Well done boys for reaching the final and thanks to Mr Jones and the PE Department for their support. The 1st XI squad, on the other hand, won their final beating Brompton Academy 1 – 0 becoming Kent U19 Champions for 2013-14. This is a remarkable achievement and the boys should feel extremely proud as we are of them. Many thanks to the entire squad for their on-going commitment to the sport, and thank you to Mr Restarick and the PE department for guiding the boys to this victory. Well done. Finally, I wish to thank everyone involved in the recent Sport Relief Charity Day. The day was a great day for Maidstone Grammar School and certainly illustrated our community and charitable nature. The final amount is still unknown but it looks to be in excess of £6500. The three main events: The Sport Re- lief Mile, the 24 hour row-a-thon and the Dodgeball competition were all heavily attended and brought the whole school together, which was lovely to see and be a part of. Thank you once again for everyone’s involvement, and let us hope that it continues and grows in the future. May I finally wish you all a pleasant and peaceful Easter break. M. Tomkins Headmaster Thank You: I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to parents and students who have sent me their best wishes as I prepare to leave MGS after eight very happy years. I have been touched and hum- bled by the letters, cards, emails and good wishes that I have received in recent weeks. Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure to be part of MGS and to have worked with you all so closely over the years. I wish you all the very best for the future. Michele Anderson Parking in Maidstone Leisure Centre: further to recent letters sent via ParentMail, this is a reminder that the car park at the Leisure Centre will become a customer only car park from 1st May. Banners and notices are due shortly at the Leisure Centre advertising what changes will be in effect from that date. We will keep you up to date as and when we receive information. On no account should students park their cars in the school car park. There is insufficient space for staff parking and we are unable to manage student park- ing on the site. Sixth formers, as per our letter, can purchase an annual membership at the Leisure Centre from 24th April but before 1st May and their car will be registered with the Leisure Centre systems to allow them to park during the school day.