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

• Year 8 STEM Challenge

  Fri 01 Apr 2022

  All our Year 8 students recently took part in a morning long STEM challenge. STEM incorporates the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and this challenge was run in partnership with Medway Education Business Partnership and STEM Kent. The task was called the ‘LEGO – build a house challenge’ and it involved students in solving real life problems.

  Students had to read and interpret design drawings in order to build a LEGO house to the exact requirements. From that point onwards, students had to design and build their own LEGO house and order the materials they required to a specified budget. Success was measured by how well the students own designs matched the actual physical model that they had built.

  It was great to see how enthusiastically all of our students embraced this challenge. They all worked tirelessly in their teams in order to produce the best design and model for their house. The students’ ability to work together to solve this real-world problem was amazing to see. Their communication with each other enabled every group to produce a working design that could then be manufactured into a model.

   

  Mr Simm, STEM Coordinator, commented, “I am so proud of our students for the way in which they faced this challenge. As the morning developed it was clear that most teams came across problems and difficulties, but to their credit, all students simply worked together to overcome these hurdles.”

  When reflecting on the morning, one Year 8 student said, “Thank you for such a wonderful morning with the STEM activity. I really enjoyed doing group work with my friends but also learning things in a fun way”.

  Another student simply commented, “Great morning and good to get creative again”.

  

• Careers Fair

  Fri 01 Apr 2022

  On Tuesday 22 March, we held a careers fair where a selection of universities, training providers and local businesses came together.

  The event provided our Year 10 and 12 students an experience of in-person communication and an invaluable opportunity to interact with representatives of some options available to them once they leave school.

  Students were able to approach a variety of stands and discuss routes into employment, higher education or training with the representatives that attended.

  Our students thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity; asking great questions and gathering lots of useful information. There was the opportunity to gain work experience placements, understand university student life, access apprenticeship information and they could even try out the living space of a member of our vital supply chain. They were also able to discuss careers in the trades, the Armed Forces, the NHS and associated medical fields, as well as the engineering sector.

   

  During the Fair, there was also a chance for students to win a laptop by using their problem-solving skills and digital technologies. Two students qualified to win, so Digital Kent have kindly provided two laptops as prizes.

  Feedback from the providers at the Fair praised our students; both their behaviour and their confidence in their communications. They were fantastic ambassadors for the school.

  We are hoping that this will be an annual event moving forwards. If your employer or business would like to be involved in events like this, please contact Mrs Boulton, our CEIAG Co-ordinator, at boultonf@ssscs.co.uk to express your interest.

  

• Helen Grant MP visits St Simon Stock

  Fri 01 Apr 2022

  Mrs Helen Grant, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald, visited St Simon Stock on Friday 4 March to take part in a student-led ‘Question & Answer’ session.

  Greeted by school prefects, Nimi and Finley, the two enthusiastic students spoke to Mrs Grant about their views on climate change, showed her a display they have created and handed her a letter collating their beliefs. The MP promised them both that this letter would sit on her desk in Westminster and would be with her as she made the key decisions that will impact our generation.

  The prefects then accompanied Mrs Grant to the drama studio for the planned ‘Question & Answer’ session, where a group of 27 students posed many insightful questions to the MP. These ranged from what drove Mrs Grant into politics, to her views on the recently passed Policing Bill that impacts the right to protest.

  Furthermore, the MP’s role as Special Envoy for Girls’ Education was talked about in some detail and students asked about the progress made in this field. Discussion was respectful but engaging, and students were able to voice their honest opinions. Mrs Grant made many promises and also vowed to stay in touch with a few students regarding the issues they raised.

  During the session, Mrs Grant also took the opportunity to pose her own questions to the room, interested to hear the opinions of our young people on issues such as climate change, the war in Ukraine and more. In this time, students continued to express their concern with the actions of the Government and their concern with social problems.

  The event was a success and Helen Grant noted how she enjoyed the experience and a future meeting should surely be arranged. Ultimately, the event showed our student’s aptness for politics and their interest in social activism.

  

• Students raise money for Porchlight

  Tue 15 Mar 2022

  On Friday 11th March, twenty Year 12 and 13 students attended a sleepout to raise awareness and money for a local homelessness charity.
  Georgia our representative from Porchlight held a workshop with our students highlighting the key causes and consequences of homelessness before they all settled down for the night.
  Both students and staff had an enjoyable night but the experience highlighted just how difficult and uncomfortable sleeping rough is.
  
  We hope that the £1200 raised goes some way to relieving the issue in Kent.

  

• Police Recruitment Event

  Mon 14 Mar 2022

  Police Recruitment Event- this event was organised by our school liaison officer,  PC Bradford.

  The event was attended by a group of year 11,12 and 13 students who had all expressed an interest in a career within this area.

  Three officers with different roles visited the school and explained what their job involved and how students can apply for a career in the police.

  The highlight of the event was the visit from the Police dog and the students attending found the event extremely useful.

   

  

• International Women's Day

  Wed 02 Mar 2022

  March 8th is International Women's Day.

   

  To recognise and support this, our Sixth Form Prefects would like to collect donations of toiletries to support all victims of domestic violence around the surrounding areas of Maidstone.

   

  The Domestic Charity receiving generous donations from our school community is Oasis Domestic Abuse Service. Despite not having a refuge directly in Maidstone, Oasis provide supported accommodation for victims of domestic violence in and around Maidstone.

   

  A donation of toiletries and other cosmetic items would be greatly appreciated by all victims as they are often left without anything.

   

  Donations collected will be made into welcome packs for victims arriving at safe accommodation with the charity as we believe this will empower those who are often left with nothing.

  Recommended items include:

  • Shampoo/conditioner

  • Shower gel

  • Bubble bath

  • Sanitary products

  • Hair bands/hair grips

  • Hairbrush

  • Body sprays

  • Cosmetics – unused makeup

   

  Please ensure all items donated are unused and preferably unopened. There will be a collection box in the Chapel where students will be able to drop off donated items. Alternatively, students will be able to leave donations with their Form Tutors and these will be collected by members of the Sixth Form.

   

  Please bring in donations as soon as possible as our Sixth Form Prefects will be collecting until Friday 11th March.

  To support Oasis further or enquire about the services the charity has to offer, please visit the following website: www.oasisdaservice.org.

• Year 8 ART Collaboration

  Wed 16 Feb 2022

  During the Folkestone Triennial, Year 8 students had the pleasure of meeting artist Soraia Andersen.

  Pictured below is one of Soraia's pieces from ‘I am patchwork’. This is a body of work encompassing a series of painting collages exploring the idea of identity which is rooted in the artist's own life-long attempt at finding a place of belonging and acceptance of who, what and why she is.

  Directly influenced by the creative process of Matisse’s cut-outs, Soraia cuts, paints and glues mixed media onto canvas. Using mirrored pieces of paper throughout the work - it is the artist’s intention that the viewer will catch glimpses of themselves in the collages, thus transported themselves inside the canvas.

  Year 8 classes worked on producing their own piece of work inspired by the artist. This work is now part of their own Patchwork series and on display as a wonderful entrance of colour and life as you walk into the Art department.

  

• Green Hearts for Climate Coalition

  Thu 10 Feb 2022

  During the month of February Green Hearts have been popping up around St Simon Stock, inspired by the work of the climate coalition. The ceramic hearts have been created by the Duke of Edinburgh clay skills group. #showthelove #hearts #climatechange #climate

  

• Ryan Huke signs a deal with Charlton Football Club

  Wed 09 Feb 2022

  The PE Department are extremely proud to hear the following news.

  Ryan Huke has signed a professional deal with Charlton Football Club.

  Ryan was an outstanding student for us and a great ambassador for PE. He represented the school teams in various sports with the highlight being his football. He was our school Captain from year 7 all the way up to year 11.

  During his times with us he won District Championship in 3 out of 4 seasons which led to a three year winning streak. Ryan also captained the school team on two semi-finals in the Kent School Cups.

  Mr Nimani hold fond memories of Ryan, an exceptional talent and a fantastic student – it's great to hear Ryan's doing so well.

  

• Safer Internet Day

  Tue 08 Feb 2022

  Today we are supporting Safer Internet Day. Last Friday our students participated in an assembly about this and below is a lovely poem we would like to share with you.
  
  Safer Internet Day

  
  Creator God,
  We thank you for technology.
  For the brilliant minds of others,
  Who have given us such advances.
  The awesome power of a mobile phone.
  With more computational capacity,
  Than the computer that put a man on the moon.
  So much good has come of this technology.
  People in contact with friends and loved ones far away.
  An entire library in the palm of our hands.
  The sum of human knowledge in our pocket.
  Lord, we also know the damage,
  That this technology can cause in the wrong hands.
  With those who seek to steal the identity of others,
  Or lead young people in to harm,
  Or who abuse others online as a kind of sport.
  May we always consider thoughtfully what we say,
  And what we post online.
  May we always remember,
  That it is a person who receives and reads our messages,
  And the smallest comment or emoji,
  Can hurt someone.
  Help us to remember that knowledge,
  Is not the same as wisdom.
  And that virtual reality,
  Is not a place where friendships flourish.
  True friendship deepens,
  In the real presence of another.
  And a true friend knows that. Amen.