The Newsletter December 2016
End of Term By Deborah Stanley, Headteacher The highlights of the autumn term at MGGS have always been House Arts and Rag Week, and this year has been no exception. This year, for House Arts, it was the turn of dance and the theme was Global Citizens. For our students the house structure, and the opportunities to be part of a community with the whole school is highly valued. It is repeatedly commented on by visiting students and parents, together with other visitors to the school that this feeling of ‘belonging’ and contributing to the life of MGGS is far stronger here than at most other schools. It is something I highly value and I will work to ensure that it continues to be an integral part of this school. I continue to be amazed by the talents of our students. I would encourage you to follow our Facebook page (MyMGGS), where on a weekly basis we are able to celebrate the achievements of our students. Recently, we have seen successes in horse riding, biathlon, and football. Students have been elected to the Kent Youth County Council, have won food competitions and have been nominated for, and won Try Angle Awards. I am hugely proud of the achievements of all our students. As a school we have continued to see our links with primary school students grow. Sixth form students recently led a Thinking Skills Workshops for primary aged pupils. The sessions reflected the high quality teaching our students themselves receive on a daily basis, given how well these students were able to lead the sessions. We have seen students come again to experience taster lessons in a number of different subjects. I am grateful to all our staff for leading these. Once again, this year we have had students come to visit our Second World War Tunnels but they have not been the only visitors to the tunnels this autumn. We welcomed back a number of our very ‘old girls’ who had been in the tunnels during the Second World War and had helped Mary Smith, former Headteacher in the research of her book, ‘A Schoolgirl’s War’. I am very grateful to Mrs Smith for giving so generously of her time to write this book, which is illustrated with contemporary paintings by the school’s Art teacher, Helen Keen, during the Second World War. If you have not already had the opportunity to purchase it, I would encourage you to do so. This autumn we were also reminded of another area in which MGGS is so linked to the local community. In November, we welcomed Maidstone Homeless Care to the school as it celebrated its 30th Anniversary. Maidstone Homeless Care, which was originally called Maidstone Christian Care, was started, in part, by Miss Mary Harvey, (Headteacher 1971 -1990). Many students from that time remember helping Miss Harvey and others with the soup kitchens in Maidstone. I am pleased that the school’s connection with Maidstone Homeless Care is continuing this year as one of the Rag week charities. The other charity is the Pahar Trust Nepal, through which we send money to our partner schools in Nepal. At the end of this term we will be saying ‘goodbye’ to Mrs Aime who leaves us to join a school in Dover; we wish her well in her new post. During the second half of this term we have welcomed Mrs Mayos as Receptionist and Attendance Officer, and Miss Atherton as Data Manager. In January, we will be welcoming Miss Green as Office Manager and Mrs Mason as Finance Manager. We trust that they will be very happy with us at MGGS. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and I look forward to the new term which starts on Tuesday 3rd January (Week 1).
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