Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE PRACTICE EXPEDITION

  Thu 27 Apr 2017

  On Saturday 22nd April and Sunday 23rd April, the current year 11 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh cohort took part in their practice expedition, which took place along the North Downs in Ashford. We arrived as a team at our start point on the North Downs at 8:30am, to meet the two assessors, who were leading the practice expedition. Students were then taken through their navigation skills, such as, how to use a compass, map reading, distance covered, and timing. Once this was complete, along with their kit check, students started their 12 km journey to Dunn Street Farm. Both teams arrived within an hour of each other at the finish point for the day. Along the way, students were able to take in the magnificent scenery the North Downs has to offer, and work on their team skills, such as communication and leadership, which will be vital when they are being assessed in June.

   

  After a long journey, with students carrying an average of 10kg on their back throughout the day, it was time to set up camp and cook for the evening. The students had their two man tents up in no time. However, it was a different story when it came to cooking their hot meals, using a stove and gas. Both teams had decided to have pasta with sauce for their evening meal. The stove came out the winner, as it had more over-cooked pasta stuck to it than the students had to eat! After all dishes and teeth had been cleaned, 9:30 pm and the camp was silent for the night.

   

  Sunday, 6:30 am, lovely sunshine, cows mooing, sheep baaing, students waking, it was the start of day two. Students made breakfast, dismantled their tents and were back in their hiking boots, by 8:00am, for another 12km, to the finish point for the weekend. Both groups had an excellent journey, and made the finish line by 2:00pm. Once the journey had been complete, the students were given a quick debrief, before we made our way back to school, in a very exhausted, but excited mini bus.

   

  A massive amount of praise goes to the students for their outstanding behaviour, along with their endeavour to work together over the weekend, and make the journey as smooth as possible. Also, a big thank you to Miss Massey for volunteering over the weekend, and helping the students keep a smile on their face. Now it is time to get ready for their real assessment, which will take place Saturday 17th-18th June.

  

• YEAR NINE DEBATING CHAMPIONS!

  Thu 27 Apr 2017

  Five ambitious and courageous year nine students were selected to represent our school in the regional heat of the ‘Up for Debate’ national debating competition held at the Alleyns School in London on Wednesday 19^th April.

  Kieran, Finlay, Sabe, Lauren and Noel participated in two challenging debates in the morning, centred around international adoption and the censorship of discriminatory content in music videos – against some extremely tough competition from schools all over the south east.  In the afternoon, after a short debating workshop, they drew upon all the feedback they had been given throughout the day to win their impromptu debate, arguing that plastic surgery should be banned.

  As well as our team being recognised in front of the entire cohort for the excellent linguistic skills demonstrated within the debates, Mrs MacDonald, who along with Mr Doig accompanied the students on the day, states that they were ‘impeccably behaved and exceptionally well presented’ – a real credit to the school.

  All year nine students completed a debating scheme of work in advance of this competition and will now continue to develop their critical thinking and support their learning through debates across the curriculum.

  It is now time for year seven and eight students to learn how to debate successfully as they are about to embark on the ‘Up for Debate’ scheme of work in their literacy lessons.

  

• YEAR SEVEN FOOTBALL TEAM REACH FA CUP FINAL!

  Thu 13 Apr 2017

  Our Year 7 football team have progressed into the Maidstone Schools FA CUP final beating The Malling School 7-0. Mr Nimani is delighted with the development of the team and the way each individual has conducted themselves throughout this footballing campaign. The boys have been exemplary to the school’s identity, competing with grace and achieving great success; this includes being quarter finalists in the Kent School FA Cup as well as winning the Maidstone League, unbeaten. Special mention goes to Ryan Huke and Sam Wright who have lead this group of boys in every game.

  The final will be on Monday 22nd May at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone. All supporters will have access to the ground from 5:30pm. Spectator prices: adult £5 child/student £2.50 All teaching staff will be granted free entry if they are able to show ID (e.g. staff lanyards).

  We encourage as many supporters as possible to make this a magical evening for all the boys. For further information please speak to Mr Nimani.