Summer Newsletter
Welcome to our Development Trust newsletter! We are thrilled to share with you the latest updates from the last academic year at MGGS, alumni achievements and lots more!
Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to all of our donors and volunteers who have continued to support us during these challenging times Your generosity and dedication have allowed us to keep our Development Trust running smoothly and effectively
In terms of our recent activities, we have been working with the Sixth Form Extra Project Management group on our Summer FUN (Fundraising, Unity, Networking) Week which is taking place throughout the last week of term. The students have been working tirelessly to produce a week of engaging activities
The students have planned and filmed an interactive game show, with the screening and live final taking place on Thursday, they have also organised a Bake Off (& cake sale), staff vs student benchball match and a tuck shop to take place throughout the week.
Finally, we want to remind everyone that our Development Trust relies on the kindness and support of our community If you are able to donate your time or resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to us
Together, we can make a real difference to MGGS. Thank you for your continued support!
Enjoy this year’s newsletter!
-TheMGGS Development Trust
Headteacher’s Update
This academic year we have seen the first seventh form of entry to the school. With more Year 7 the school has seemed more crowded We have had a year of frustrations with the new building stalled due to problems with building regulations, due to the proximity of the new building to the railway line We do hope that we will be able to start this building at some point next academic year In the meantime, we are soon to welcome our second seventh form of entry with no extra space!
Therefore, from September the School House will, for the first time, not be used as a home but for administration for the school This will create more space within the school that can directly be used to support students
Some other key highlights from this year have been:
In the spring we were very pleased to celebrate Miss Margaret Amos’s 100th birthday As both an ex student and a previous member of staff we were delighted to be able to share a birthday card signed by many of our current students.
In the autumn we sadly had two students pass away within a week of each other. These were completely separate events, but their close proximity to each other was keenly felt within the school In early May we took the whole school on a well being walk from the School, down Buckland Hill and around Whatman Park before returning to school This was our chance to remember Ray-Emoke and Kate as well as fund raise for two charities nominated by their parents We were so pleased that the sun shone for the well being walk and students on their return to school created bunting of hope which is now on display in the school’s reception.
We are looking forward to the final weeks of term with Sports Day, the Art Exhibition, Induction days for our new Year 7 and 12, multiple trips as well as our first school trip to Borneo
I remain hugely indebted to each and every member of staff who continues to work tirelessly for the school and to the students of this school who as well as learn so much at school also give so much back to the school.
Non sibi sed omnibus
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who has kept in touch with us this year. A special thank you to those who have come into school or connected online to help inspire our current students, to help at events or made donations
We really do appreciate you all and it makes a big difference to our students
I can’t believe that we are at the end of the school year already, this year seems to have gone particularly fast It wasn’t the year that I had hoped for in terms of the new building, but I am hoping the work will be underway when we return in September. We will then be back to fundraising in earnest to raise the required £300,000 we need to complete the project If you know of any trusts or foundations who you think would be interested in supporting us, please do get in touch The funds are going to be used to create 5 new Science laboratories, a music suite, 6 History classrooms and a WW2 Visitor Centre. We would also appreciate it if you would consider supporting the project yourself through our 1888 Society or by purchasing some equipment via https://mggs.ptly.uk/donate.
Aside from the disappointment of not having our new building yet, we have had a fantastic year. My highlights have included:
Welcoming the OGS into the Development Trust
Meeting so many of you when you have come into to school to help with events, careers talks, mock interviews and more Thank you
Opening a temporary space to enable primary schools to experience MGGS life in WW2
Working with lots of students throughout the school to project manage events like the winter fair, various competitions and even a game show
Speaking at the Institute of Development Professionals in Education conference about my work with students and getting them engaged with the work of the trust Hearing all about what you have all been up to post MGGS
I hope that you enjoy reading more about what everyone has been doing this year and how you can get involved next year over the coming pages Thank you for staying connected
Once MGGS, Always MGGS
~ Mrs Lila Brewer Alumni Relations and Development Trust Officer
SUMMER FAIR
Head Students
MGGS
Firstly, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the current Head Student team; James, Freya, Caitlin, Amelia and Katie (pictured). They have been a superb team that have served the school community with passion and enthusiasm, really embodying what it is to be an MGGS student We are extremely grateful for all they have done over the past year
We are delighted to announce, following an extensive selection process that included a letter of application, a formal interview, presenting at assembly and a student voice vote, that Neha D, Bella K, Eleanor L, Izzy R and Freya W have been appointed as the team of Head Students for 2024-25 Congratulations to them all! We cannot wait to work constructively with the new team who all bring different and complementary skills to their role
We also want to extend our thanks to the other students who put themselves forward for this role. All the candidates performed very strongly We were really impressed by their commitment to serve and their courage, well done!
Head Student Message
Account Reminder!
Remember to keep your education and career information to date in your account on our Alumni platform! This will help you connect with friends, keep up to date on community news and much morehttps://mggs.ptly.uk/
Help at MGGS
Are you able to help out by talking to students at careers events? Get in touch or update your account details
If you are thinking that you aren't inspirational and that we wouldn't want to hear from you, we do! Everyone's story is interesting and we would love to hear from as many people as possible!
After stepping into the role of head student in April we have been very excited to get involved in the many upcoming events within the school As a Head Student body we have worked hard to put on events such as the year 10 vision event and to help open days run smoothly as well as hosting the popular sixth form karaoke at the end of term We are eager to start planning for RAG Week 2024 and lots of other fun events during the next school year. I have also enjoyed working with the amazing Development Trust Ambassadors and Subject Prefects to put together the Summer FUN week, including the In for a Pound screening that I have been filming with the Project Management Sixth Form Extra group I am so excited for everyone to see it and see everyone's hard work pay off Thank you to all the amazing student leaders that have helped us run all these incredible events and I can't wait to see what we will do next year!
~ Bella K Head Student
Bob Chapman Retirement
Mr Chapman has dedicated 26 years of his professional life to MGGS It is fair to say that in this time he has had a lasting impact on the lives of so many students, inspiring them to go on to a range of music based careers.
To give an idea of what an incredible asset Mr Chapman has been to the MGGS Community, we would love to touch on a few memories
Not only has he composed music for numerous school productions, but he has also been a dependable accompanist for a wide variety of school events His unwavering support and enthusiasm have been a cornerstone of the school's musical endeavours He has overseen 9 Music House Arts competitions and 23 carol services (the missing 3 thanks to Covid-19 and snow are a sore subject!)
One of Mr Chapman’s greatest passions has been the Chamber Choir His dedication to nurturing this group has helped its members reach their full potential year after year Under his guidance, the Chamber Choir has achieved remarkable milestones, including performing at Canterbury Cathedral in collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, working with renowned composer Howard Goodall on his new piece, and participating in a workshop with the esteemed vocal ensemble, The Sixteen
The list of Mr. Chapman’s achievements is extensive, reflecting a career marked by diversity, productivity, and a deep commitment to musical excellence His influence extends far beyond individual events and accomplishments, having shaped the musical landscape of MGGS and inspired many students to excel in their musical pursuits
As Mr Chapman embarks on his well-deserved retirement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes May his retirement be filled with joy, relaxation, and the satisfaction of knowing the profound impact he has made
I speak on behalf of the entire MGGS Community when I say, Thank you Mr Chapman
~ Mrs Wood
Volunteer Spotlight
The Development Trust would like to take the time to thank our incredible volunteers that have helped out consistently throughout this year
Firstly, thank you to Marina Ribarska who has done an incredible job this year on our pre-loved uniform sales Before monitoring stock and processing orders, Marina sorts, washes and irons all donated uniform to get them ready to sell She did an incredible job at our recent Year 7 induction evening and even sold out of all prepared stock! This year Marina has helped raise over £2,000 for the Development Trust, has helped families with more affordable uniform and has promoted sustainable clothing practices!
Heather White has been present throughout this year on multiple projects
Inspiring Alumni... Thank you!
A huge thank you to all Alumni that have helped out at our careers events this year! By helping out at these events you have inspired a generation of students and it is incredible to see and hear all about the industries and career paths you have all chosen
This year alumni have helped out at RISE days, our #MGGSInspire International Women's Day campaign, our new careers exploration events and mock interviews
Not only has she helped with the introduction of our PFA, she has continued her MGGS community theatre trips which are loved by many and co-hosted our Year 7 Quiz night amongst other work. Most notably, Heather has provided industry expertise to our 6th Form Project Management Group and has been key in the planning and implementation of our Summer FUN week Thank you Heather
Finally, thank you to Bethany Sinclair who has taken on the lead role with our PFA, putting in continuous effort to engage our community She co-hosted our popular Year 7 Quiz night and is looking forward to organising more quizzes in the future On top of this, she has introduced our rolling 100 Square fundraiser and helped bring together our #MGGSInspire campaign and this newsletter!
Our volunteers have lots planned for the future so keep your eyes peeled!
Advertise your Jobs & Apprenticeships
If you are recruiting for your business and would like to advertise to the MGGS community you can post your job listing through our Networking & Careers page on the alumni platform
Get in touch with dto@mggs org with information about your jobs, apprenticeship opportunities or even work experience availability.
If you’d like to support businesses with a connection to MGGS or are looking for mentors in your industry/desired industry, you can also use our MGGS Connects page on the alumni platform as a business directory to find MGGS alum, their associated industry and business
This is a great way to connect with, foster and support the MGGS community
Alumni Highlights
2017 Alumni, Mia opens her own bakery - Blomst!
Hello, my name is Mia! I was born and raised in Maidstone, and I’m the owner of Blomst; "Flower" in Danish
I attended MGGS from 2011 and in 2017 I moved to Denmark (where my parents are from) to attend the Copenhagen Culinary School Suhrs It was there I rediscovered my love for food and baking took on a few different positions in the Patisserie world before I finally found my one true love !! BREAD !!
I spent 2 years at the incredible Grain & Hearth in Whitstable and I am now excited to be starting my own venture; Blomst I will be baking the freshest pastries, sourdough loaves, cakes, treats and more
Abbie's Sweet Success!
If you watched ITV’s behind-the-scenes documentary series about M&S, you will have seen one of our 2016 Alumna, Abbie Smallwood, who is the Product Designer behind the “Outrageously Chocolatey Custard Cream Biscuit” Wow, they taste amazing!
Abbie has told us that taking a GCSE in Food Technology whilst she was a student at MGGS got her so excited about a career in food that she decided she wanted to do a degree in Nutrition at university She studied Biology, Maths and Psychology at A Level to enable her to go on to study Food and Nutrition at the University of Surrey in Guildford
Happy 100th Birthday to Margaret Amos, MGGS Teacher & Alumni
We are delighted to share with you just how special MGGS can be to our very own Margaret Amos!
Margaret, who celebrated her 100th birthday on 2nd April this year, was a former student at MGGS from 1934-1942 and then returned to her beloved MGGS as Head of Chemistry. Since then Margaret has been very connected to the school as part of the then Old Girls Society and can be seen pictured here at our 125th Anniversary celebrations enjoying a trip down memory lane
Margaret has, however, kept a little secret safely in her home for years; a picture created by a former student of the beautiful woodland surrounding MGGS It is reported that Margaret has had the picture proudly displayed in her dining room for many years We wonder who painted it?
(Please get in touch if you know.) Margaret now wishes for MGGS to have the picture displayed back at MGGS
Margaret’s Cousin advised us that she has so many former students around the UK and overseas who remain in touch with her and we are sure they will join us in wishing Margaret a very very happy 100th Birthday! BAFTA for MGGS Alumni, Mia!
The MGGS communit that former student M recently won a BAFTA Award
Remembering Mia fro we are not at all surpr achievement and hav continue to go onto fu
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PA WIRE
Get Involved
The MGGS PFA is a group of volunteers committed to enhancing the school experience for students at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls The PFA plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community within the school by organising various events and fundraising activities
We are inviting anyone related to MGGS to join, whether you are family of a student, alumni, staff or a friend of MGGS, we would love for you to be involved!
Fundraising as part of the MGGS PFA helps to sustain Maidstone Grammar School for Girls' successes This ensures that the very best facilities are available for our students, supporting them academically and pastorally
There are a range of different ways to get involved to suit your interests Whether you’d like to get involved with organising an events, generate ideas or volunteer to serve refreshments we’d love to have you on board!
Worried about time commitments? Fear not! The PFA understands that life can be hectic. Your involvement is entirely flexible, allowing you to contribute whenever it suits your schedule
100 Square Fundraiser
It’s not too late to get involved in this year’s 100 Square fundraiser – where £2 could make you £50 richer!
Buy a Square:
At just £2 per square each month – the 100 Square is a small investment for a potentially huge return!
Mark your Calendar:
The next winner will be revealed on the 12th of August, so mark the date for some jackpot excitement!
Spread the Word:
Get your friends and family involved – the more, the merrier! Share the joy and increase your chances of winning big.
But wait, there's more! We want to keep the surprises coming, so each month brings a new chance to win The lucky winners each month will be contacted via email, so keep an eye on your inbox for that golden message Get involved
Mr Lesting, former Teacher of German, returns to MGGS!
Many former students will no doubt remember Mr Lesting, Teacher of German at MGGS from 1992 to 2009 at MGGS This week we were so pleased when he returned for a brief visit
“Just a quick mail to say a BIG THANK YOU for the friendly reception and the nice guided tour yesterday I really appreciated the lovely trip down ‘memory lane’.
If I remember correctly the picture was taken at Sports Day 1998 or 1999, and I was a member of the Norman’s House and the Teddy bear was the mascot I ‘had to’ look after
I wish everyone at MGGS all the very best and every success for the future The community spirit at MGGS has always been and still is one of the school’s strong points Long may it continue to do so
Best wishes to everyone at MGGS” - Klaus Lesting
Remembering Mr Oldham
Mr Lesting
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Oldham, who was a good friend of the school, and who had a particular interest in the school’s history Our condolences go to his family
Mr Oldham, pictured to the right on his visit to MGGS to see the Oldham Quad, a relaxing outdoor space for students that was made possible by a generous donation from the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust
Sace Socials
MEET ME, THE FOUNDER
I’m Grace, 19 years old and I left MGGS last summer (2023) I studied Business, Geography and Product Design at A Level, with a particular passion for Business. Since leaving the school last year, I have since set up my very own business in the marketing field: a Social Media Management Agency called Sace Socials.
After always having a desire to be a business woman, as well as a passion for Social Media and helping businesses, it seemed like the correct industry to enter with new talent and new ideas
WHAT IS SACE SOCIALS?
Sace is a Social Media Management agency offering both one off and full social media management services We help businesses utilise the power of Social Media for their businesses growth and online presence Working across numerous industries, our results are always phenomenal
IT ALL STARTED AT MGGS.
MGGS taught me the foundations of business as well as providing me the opportunity to carry out work experience with a local marketing agency; teaching me where my love and strengths are within marketing. I am thrilled to announce that I’ve just taken on another MGGS alumni, Isabella Brewer to start building up the Sace team.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS.
Are you a business owner running out of time and having to ignore your socials? Or a business owner with little knowledge looking for strategic direction across your TikTok and Instagram? This is where Sace comes in, outsource your social accounts to us so you can focus your expertise within your business and leave growing your socials to us.
ARE YOU A STUDENT WANTING TO FOLLOW THIS CAREER PATH?
Wondering how you can follow a similar career path and get into the Social Media industry? Get in touch with us today via socials or email and we can get chatting. I am so passionate about helping young peoples careers
Mayor Making Ceremony
MGGS was delighted to hear from Cllr Grace Couch – Maidstone Borough Councillor for Marden and Yalding and also former student of MGGS!
One of our Head Students, Izzy R attended the Maidstone Borough Council’s AGM and new Mayor of Maidstone making ceremony
“I’m just getting in touch, pass my thanks onto Izzy and the fellow students who attended the Annual Council meeting on Saturday 17th May to congratulate the new Mayor
It was my first meeting as a recently elected councillor, and as a former MGGS student, it was lovely to have the school represented in this meeting!” - Grace Couch
MGGS News
MGGS House Cup Results are out!
This year’s House Cup winners for the most house points over the past year goes to
1st Romans with 9,393 House points
2nd Normans with 9,113 House points
3rd Vikings with 8,859 House points
This year there have been over 48,000 house points awarded Congratulations to each and every student for such a positive achievement!
MGGS has a very well established House system going back many decades Every student is a member of either Britons, Danes, Normans, Romans, Saxons or Vikings.
The house system is an excellent way for our students to make friends and collaborate with other students outside their normal academic classes and year groups
During the course of the year there are a wide range of House competitions and our Sports Day is also a House based competition All of the House competitions lead to the awarding of House points
House points are also awarded for a variety of other reasons, including making sustained progress in a subject, producing work of a very high standard or helping with a particular school event or activity House points are collated and each year the House with the most points wins the House Cup
MBC
Raise Money through Easyfundraising
Are you prepping your summer wardrobe or buying last-minute essentials for your holiday? With Easyfundraising, you can raise money for MGGS through your online shopping, at no extra cost to you!
Here's how it works:
Shop and Raise: Easyfundraising partners with over 8,100 brands who will donate a part of what you spend to MGGS The best part? It won't cost you anything extra The donation is covered by the brand
Easy Setup: Once you set up your Easyfundraising account, you can install the Donation Reminder browser extension This handy tool will pop up on every retailer site where a donation is available, so you don’t have to remember to visit Easyfundraising first!
100% Free: It's so easy to do and completely free to use These donations really add up and make a BIG difference to us
We’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment. You can find our Easyfundraising page through the QR code below.
Hire our Facilities
We have a range of state-of-the-art facilities available for you to hire for your sporting requirements, next event or function
Whether you need indoor sporting facilities with an Olympic flooring or outdoors, a conference centre, meeting venue, a dance, drama or art studio, a venue for performances and shows, IT suites, or even an indoor rowing facility, then Maidstone Grammar School for Girls has the solution
We have hosted a selection of sporting events and activities including netball, football, korfball and archery, Adult Education classes, local choir rehearsals, the Kent Science Festival for over 2,000 visitors and many more If you are looking for a venue, then visit our website to find out more about the extensive facilities we have to offer
House Arts "The Jewel in the Crown of MGGS" 2023
House Arts is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of MGGS events; an annual competition rotating between Music, Drama and Dance House Arts 2023 took place in October and MGGS was buzzing with excitement! This year’s theme is ‘Enrichment’ and all of the Houses have worked very hard to express this theme through the enchanting world of music. Well done to everyone who has taken part!
1st place Britons
2nd Place Romans 3rd Place Danes
Year 7 Quiz Extravaganza
Awarded categories and winners were:
Best Stage Version of Set Song: Vikings
Best Performance of Set Song: Britons
Best Arrangement of Own Choice Song: Saxons
Best Performance of Own Choice Song: Danes
Best Original Composition: Normans
Best Programme: Romans
Our sincere thanks also go to our adjudicator Melitsa Nicola and Mr Chapman for making the final decisions Congratulations to all Houses, MGGS is very proud!
Two of our fabulous Alumni, Bethany and Heather, hosted a very enjoyable quiz evening for our Year 7 parents and their families in November We would like to say a huge thank you to them and to the 6th form helpers, without whom the event could not have run
The feedback has been outstanding, including this lovely comment“It was a really brilliant quiz that could be enjoyed by all ages. I wouldn’t change it – one of the best quiz nights we’ve been to.”
This is a note from Heather and Bethany themselves:
“The event was a lot of fun and some lovely prizes were won throughout the evening, thank you to all of the Year 7s and families that got involved. We look forward to hosting the event again next year!
A huge congratulations to our winning team, Bob, with an outstanding score of 124.
“We couldn’t be more delighted with the fantastic medals provided by TrophiesPlusMedals for our Year 7 Quiz Night Their attention to detail, high-quality products, and excellent customer service were second to none These medals added a touch of prestige to our event, and the smiles on our Year 7 students’ faces said it all We highly recommend them for their outstanding quality and service Thank you for making our event special!” Bethany and Heather
Dance Showcase: ‘Welcome To The Library’
On Thursday 28th March we held our annual dance showcase ‘A Night at the Movies’ with 125 students participating in the event! Each dance number in the show was based on a different story – some were based on books, others were stories inspired by the dancers!
I was so impressed with each and every performer in the show – there was such a high standard of performance and choreography! A huge thank you to each and every dancer involved in the show and the AV team for their incredible lighting!
Please see some of the amazing photographs taken by Mr Vela-Castro during our technical rehearsals!
“I would like to say a huge well done to the dancers who performed in the showcase last night! There was so much talent on that stage, and our daughter really appreciated the opportunity to participate!”
, p p g the day. The level of talent, commitment and determination displayed by the students was truly remarkable and a testament to their hard work and dedication
I am particularly proud to announce that several individuals went above and beyond, delivering truly excellent performances, which resulted in a number of school records being broken. At the end of a successful day, the students sat around the track and waited in anticipation to see who would be crowned MGGS 2024 Champions; the Headteacher stepped forward naming Vikings House as this year's winner! A huge congratulations goes out to all the Viking's competitors and their House Lea
pp p , g environment that truly embodied the spirit of sportsmanship at MGGS
I would like to extend my congratulations to all the competitors, House Leaders and supporters for their efforts and contributions Their dedication and commitment have made this Sports Day an unforgettable event, and I am proud of each and every one of them.
~ Mrs Robbins Head of PE Department
Woodland Garden Upgrade
Originally completed in 2019, The Woodland Garden at MGGS was created as a space for students to remember lost loved ones and to escape the everyday pressures of life Led by the school’s Development Trust with the support of Headstart and sponsored by parents and alumni, the once neglected, coppiced woodland area was transformed into a relaxing woodland garden
The school commissioned local company Greenwood Landscapes, whose director is former student Katherine Greenwood (nee Mitchell), to design and build the garden. Their design focused on embracing the natural woodland location, with the overall concept featuring a winding, brick path leading to three seating areas, emulating the shape of a tree and its branches Natural and reclaimed materials were used and a variety of shade loving plants, including ferns, grasses and perennials, were added to soften the hard-landscaping, complimenting the setting to create a relaxing green oasis
The theme of circles, to represent inclusion, nurturing and unity, was also used throughout the garden, with a Moongate at the entrance, circular seating areas featuring curved benches and a circular reflective water bowl, surrounded by a log circle sculpture at the back of the garden Additional circular metal sculptures, designed by the students and created by Yalding Forge, added the finishing touches Coincidentally, during the clearing of the space, an old circular brick path surrounding a cherry tree was uncovered and remains a feature in the garden today
it has naturally suffered wear and tear Patches of planting had been lost, pebbles used for the seating areas had started to migrate into planting beds and the log circle had naturally deteriorated So earlier this year the MGGS Development Trust, with funding from the Hillier Trust, decided to invest back into the garden, both to address some of these issues and to future proof the garden
The originally pebbled seating areas have now been paved with natural Indian Sandstone, the teak benches have been cleaned and treated, a new reclaimed brick circle, with an adjoining new paved seating area, has been created as a more permanent fixture for the water bowl and some robust evergreen planting has been added, along with additional perennial woodland plants for seasonal interest
Renovation work was completed during May half term and the garden is once again a peaceful and restorative sanctuary for students to enjoy both now and in years to come
If you would like to leave a legacy in the MGGS Woodland Garden you can do so by visiting this website
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Would you like to mark the anniversary of the year you started or left MGGS this year, is your year group celebrating special birthdays? Do you have any other reason for gathering your old school friends together? Mark your diary as we are planning a celbration on 5th of July 2025
If so, please get in touch with Mrs Lila Brewer, dto@mggs org to find out how we can help
Once MGGS, Always MGGS Hoodies
Check our our Once MGGS, Always MGGS hoodies which come in grey and blue in sizes XS-XXL, available on our website for £30 plus P&P.
We would also love to see pictures of you in your hoodies, if you are willing to share them you can do so by sending them to dto@mggsorg
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Garden
The MGGS Woodland Garden is a space to support students' mental health needs A space to remember a loved one, but also a space to reconnect to nature, to others and to ourselves and a space to reflect on what is important in life in the midst of the stress and busyness A space that the whole MGGS community can use The garden is currently being improved and we are giving you the opportunity to sponsor part of our garden to commemorate a precious memory, loved one, or occasion Visit our website for further details.
Careers Exploration Series
Our first exploration event which showcased 3 alumni entrepreneurs
It was marvellous to hear about their lives post MGGS which included owning 2 marinas in Australia, starting up a social media company in the first year of being an alumni and being the CEO of a successful global branding, content and communications agency!
The consistent message was to take risks and not to be afraid of rejection. The alumni even offered one to one support for people in attendance! Thank you to Nicky Vaux, Grace Easby and Anna King for taking time out of your busy lives to speak with MGGS
Wellbeing Walk – A Bunting for Hope
On Tuesday, 7th May, with a beautiful warm sunny morning, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls took to the streets of Maidstone with a total of 1,161 students and accompanying staff participating in The MGGS Wellbeing Walk This was a 2.1-mile walk around Maidstone along the banks of the River Medway to boost mental and physical health, and in memory of Kate and RayEmoke who sadly passed away last autumn
There were various stations en route manned by MGGS’ Sixth Formers, directing students on the right path One particularly enthusiastic trio sang songs of encouragement to spur the walkers on The event was a great boost for students’ physical and mental well-being as witnessed by the happy smiling faces throughout the walk – even during the climb back up Buckland Hill!
Upon returning to MGGS the students created ‘Bunting for Hope’ which will be displayed within the school
Contributions from walkers, parents and friends of the school have raised over £5,000 (and still counting!) for Kate’s and Ray-Emoke’s respective charities; The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Mind Mid Kent
Miss Stanley commented, “Since the sad news last autumn of the passing of two of our students, we, as a school, have been planning the MGGS Well-Being Walk, to remember Kate and Ray-Emoke as a community Taking the whole school on this walk was no mean feat and something we have never done before Comments have been received from students, staff and friends of MGGS that they found the walk extremely moving and uplifting stating that they found the experience refreshing, calming and relaxing The school was also joined by Ray-Emoke’s mother and their brother, along with Mark Willis and Chantelle Willows from Mind Mid Kent who supported the school last autumn and continue to do so ”
Following our walk in the morning, the students were encouraged to decorate a triangle with their hopes for the future We have since, thanks to the wonderful DT/Art department the Site team and other support staff, assembled the triangles and displayed them at the entrance of the school
The students really enjoyed this relaxing and mindful activity which supports the wellbeing of all of our students and draws on our school motto Non Sibi Sed Omnibus
“A donation of this size is an amazing gift and will be used in relation to our youth work: £2500 could help us cover the costs of 9 young people receiving 6 weeks of structured 1-2-1 support through our Wellbeing Resilience Action Plans or providing fun workshops during the school holidays for 60 young people and their families. An opportunity to try something new in a safe environment, overcome isolation, build confidence, and improve resilience”
SAM READ – HEAD OF SERVICES – MID-KENT MIND
“The Royal Marsden sees and treats more than 62,000 people with cancer each year and your donation will help to ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world. The Royal Marsden is leading the way in cancer research, with 800 clinical trials open at any one time and 42,000 patients from across the UK taking part in these trials. The hospital is striving to ensure the best outcomes and care for their patients.”
ELLIE DAVIS – COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EXECUTIVE – THE
Reconstruction Project and new Early Child Development Classroom at our partner school in Nepal
Many of you will already know we have a partner school in Nepal; the Shree Himalaya Milan Secondary School in Tangting and our students have visited on several occasions The next visit is in February 2025!
During the past 10 years, there have been several earthquakes in the Tangting region that have caused the school roof to leak The upper floor of the building became difficult to use in the rainy season The school has used the 2022 RAG Week money plus a Nepal government grant to start construction on replacing the roof with a new one which will be more flexible and hopefully more resistant to earthquake damage
Some of the MGGS RAG Week 2023 money will also go towards finishing off this project
When the roof goes back on there will be a plaque with the MGGS logo. Our school motto, Non sibi sed Omnibus, inspires our whole school community to organise and take part in many c p
The MGGS RAG Week money has also been put to good use by our partner school in Nepal to refurbish the Early Development Classroom
There was an official opening ceremony with a plaque with the MGGS logo unveiled which was held on the 5th December 2023 We are thrilled that our fund raising money can help and support the education of young people that really need our help
MGGS SCHOOL VISIT TO NEPAL
Obituaries
Mrs Connie Hoff (nee Bridges)
We have received the sad news of Connie’s passing from her niece, who sent us the following message:
I regret to inform you that my aunt Mrs Connie Hoff (nee Bridges) passed away on December 24th aged 94 For many years she was closely involved with the society
She spent all her life in Maidstone and lived in the same house for about 70 years
On leaving MGGS she worked for many years at the Kent County Library She leaves a daughter Gill and two grandsons. She will be greatly missed.
Elisabeth Alexander, nee Tye
We have received the sad news of Elisabeth's passing from her daughter, Jane, who sent us the following message:
Mum died peacefully on 23rd April 2022 following a short illness She was 94 years old Mum was the middle daughter of Charles and Kathleen Tye, owners of the Beehive Stores, Week Street Her sisters Josephine and Madeline, also 'old girls' predeceased her Mum enjoyed reflecting on her years at school and contributed to 'A Schoolgirl's War'
When I qualified as a teacher, Mum asked me to promise to always encourage the young people in my charge and never humiliate or be unkind She often spoke of her memories as a pupil She leaves a daughter, Jane, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren
Dawn Munn
We have received the sad news of Dawn's passing from her son, Graeme He sent us the following message:
Dawn Munn, was the Membership Secretary for the MGGS Old Girl’s Society, and it is with great sadness that I have to inform you that she passed away on 28th August 2022 I was comforted to see that she is mentioned as Membership Secretary on your website as the school and society was something she was very proud to be involved with
Mary Priest
We have received the sad news of Mary’s passing from her daughter, who sent us the following message:
I would like to let you know that my mother - Mary Priest - died in October. She taught Chemistry at the school during the 1970s alongside Margaret Amos. She was there during my time at the school (1971-78) before moving to the girls' grammar school in Tonbridge She was 90 when she died and had struggled with Parkinson's disease for several years prior to her death She had retained all her faculties fortunately She died peacefully in hospital on 22 October 2023
Mrs Helen Lumb
We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mrs Helen Lumb who was a teacher at MGGS for many years in the 1980s and 1990s. She died during the night of the 25th March and was resident in a care home in the Maidstone area
Helen Lumb taught Physics up to A Level and for many years organised the Careers Department at the school I believe she introduced the Young Enterprise Scheme into the school and she was active in establishing links with business She was always a cheery colleague and students enjoyed her teaching
Obituary
Paula Crittenden 1st June 1944- 8th April 2024
We are saddened to hear news of the passing of Paula Crittenden on 8th April 2024
Paula attended MGGS from 1955-62 She was involved with many school activities and she was a very popular team player. She went on to become a prefect and was awarded the Madge Urmston Award.
After school she trained to be a primary school teacher She married and had two children and three grandchildren Paula lived in Dorset for many years and was passionate about her garden and nature in general Her other interests were cricket, horse racing, history and reading
She stayed in touch with several school friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew her
Marriages & Births
Please get in touch to update us with any marriages and births
Thank you for reading!
The MGGS Development Trust, Buckland Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0SF