Miss Mary Harvey, Headteacher 1971 to 1990

It is with great sadness that we have learnt that Miss Harvey passed away at the end of September. She was one of the school’s longest-serving Headteachers. It was during Miss Harvey’s time at MGGS that the school celebrated its centenary in 1988. Events to celebrate the centenary included The Big Picture event on the school field, a school photo, the centenary dance competition and the centenary day service, which took place on 20th January 1988 at All Saints’ Church, with the whole school in attendance. The Centenary House Cup (Music) winner was Saxons, who composed their own song about the school through its first century. At the time Miss Harvey referred to “the countless opportunities the school has offered to so many… the generosity of staff… the high standards over the years… the concern for each individual… the service which is being given by present and former members of the school, in the communities in which they find themselves.”

Miss Harvey is remembered throughout the town of Maidstone for being one of the founding members of Maidstone Homeless Care (then called Maidstone Christian Care). This was set up along with Miss Pat McCabe, Deputy Headteacher, who, along with students of Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, ran soup kitchens for the homeless of Maidstone.

Miss Harvey remained a good friend of MGGS after her retirement, visiting the school on many occasions, always interested in current developments in the school and always wanting to learn and celebrate what her students were doing after they had left school. 

Miss Harvey, throughout her life, embodied the school’s motto: Non sibi sed Omnibus – Not for oneself but for all.

Our thoughts are with Miss Harvey’s friends and family at this time of loss. 

💜 Thank you to everyone who has shared their kind words and memories of Miss Harvey on our Facebook page @MyMGGS!  Your thoughtful messages have been so lovely to read –  a true reflection of the lasting impact she had on so many within the MGGS community. 💫

These memories and comments will be shared anonymously with Miss Harvey’s family so they can see just how deeply she was admired and remembered by us all. 💐

#RememberingMissHarvey