THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 1993 No. 3

It's the first Thursday of December, so here's the third edition of our school's newsletter, bringing you up to date with what's going on at the school as we head towards the end of this term.

First of all, what a difference the new curtains have made to the Great Hall!

There has already been much favourable comment from people who attended the Guest Evening - the curtains went up that week - and they will also be very much in evidence this weekend as the play "Dark Of The Moon" is produced.

Helping to give the hall its new magnificence is the painting and varnishing that is being carried out. And there is more printing taking place in the lower corridor. Our thanks to all those who have been involved.

Having mentioned "Dark Of The Moon", just a reminder that there are performances tonight (Thursday), tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30 p.m The young actors and actresses have been busy rehearsing - and fighting off the 'flu - and the backstage crew have been preparing the very impressive set and costumes, all under the watchful eye of director Richard Sewell. So, if you would like to enjoy a very good evening's entertainment, book a ticket now (£3 for adults and £1 for students) and come and support this excellent production.

Our thanks to Professor Tony Bradley - a former pupil of our school - who was the guest speaker at our Guest Evening and presented the prizes. We also think all those who took part in the evening, providing the musical items and the spoken word, with readings from Dickens and Chaucer.

Last Thursday, we had a very good turnout for the Open Evening for prospective pupils who we hope will be joining us next September. More boys and their parents attended than last year, which is a good sign, and reinforces what our Head Teacher said at the Guest Evening, that our school is in revival, and is looking forward to the future with confidence. We look forward to welcoming the new boys into the school next year.

Last month we encouraged you to vote in the election for an additional Parent Governor who will be needed to join the Governor Body under Grant Maintained Status. We are grateful to all those who did vote, and we congratulate Mr. Norman Gilliland on being elected. We thank him, and Mrs. Susan McCarthy, for their willingness to stand for the election and for their interest in the school.

Congratulations ...

. . . to Peter Futcher who has now passed his exam for the Choral Scholarship he has been awarded at Oxford University.

. . . to one of our former pupils, Michael Lawrence, who has gained a 1st Class degree in the Law Society examination. He is now working for a firm of solicitors in Cambridge, and is making use of his German, in which he gained a 1st Class degree from the University of Essex three years ago.

. . . and to the team who won the very successful Wine and Wisdom evening organised by the Parents and Friends Association last Friday which attracted a large number of teams. Dr. Alan French and his team - competing under the name "Cars and Soap" (a somewhat literal translation of our school motto Fiat Lux!) - emerged as the winners after a nail-biting finish and a tie-break question. Watch out for details of the next Wine and Wisdom evening in mid-January. . . and come and join in!

Sport

There is plenty of Sports News as usual.

Our school 1st XI team returned to winning form beating Oakwood Park, Maidstone 2-1 away in the Schools League. It was a hard-fought victory with goals scored by Stefan Peto and Justin Luchford. What was thought might be the deciding game of the season took place yesterday (Wednesday) when our boys travelled to Simon Langton, Canterbury. Both teams had hardly dropped a point, and the 1st Division title may well have rested on the game. It ended as a 1-1 draw, with Paul Campling scoring our goal. Another look at the league table shows Chaucer Technology could also pose a threat, having only lost ore game and with several games in hand. Our 1st XI play Chaucer next Wednesday (December 8) at home, kicking off at 2.15 p.m. A good number of spectators to cheer our boys on would be very encouraging. Yesterday's 2nd XI game against Minster College was called off by Minster, who concede the points.

Our 1st XI beat Queen Elizabeth School, Faversham, 7-0 in November, with Stefan Peto, Matt Oiller and Justin Luchford scoring two each, and Paul Henwood the other one. The 2nd XI lost 4-1 to Q.E.S. away, with Matthew Jaenicke scoring the Dover goal. The Under 16's won 6-1 against Wa1mer School at home in the third round of the County Cup (scorers: Grant Sanders 3, Jonathan Coates, James Wilde and Neils Bucknell one each), and they play Sandwich School in the next round next Wednesday, 8 December, at home. The kick-off is at 2.15 p.m, so spectators will have two matches to watch!

The Under 13s won 5-0 at Hereson School, Ramsgate, also in the third round of the County Cup, with Joe Gibbons, James Durrant, Mark Garrood, Chris Dymond and Ian Bank scoring the goals.

In the games against Harvey Grammar School, our Under l5s won 3-0, the Under 13s lost 4-3 and the Under l2s lost 5-3 after playing the second half with only 10 men.

Golf

In the Kent Schools Golf Championships for handicaps 12-20 on Friday, 5 November, at St. Augustine's Golf Club, five boys competed and all of them finished within the top 10 out of 40 competitors.

Mark Eade (Year 10) was second with a net 64, Ben Brothwell (Year 12) was third with the same score, Jamie Hitchcock (Year 12) was fifth with a 65 and Stephen Durrant (Year 12) had a net 66 to finish seventh. Alex Ridings (Year 10) had a net 70. The winning score was net 63 and unfortunately there was no team prize!

Parents and Friends Association

Thanks to those who supported the Christmas Bazaar at St. Mary's Parish Centre, Dover, on Saturday. The date had to be altered, and the event brought forward one week. It was not very well attended, but it did make a profit of £150.

Your son should have brought some raffle tickets home for the Christmas School Draw. Please support this by selling tickets to your friends and relatives, and return the counterfoils and money by THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER (please note this date as it was incorrect in the letter that came with the tickets). The draw takes place on Friday 17 December. And don't forget £100 will go towards a trip for the form that collects the most money!

Just a reminder that the School Shop, which used to run on a regular basis a few years ago, is being revived, and operates every Monday from 1.10 to 2 p.m. Its future will depend on the amount of support shown by parents. If you can not attend at the school when the shop is open, don't despair, just contact the school or Jeanette Ashford on Dover 822658, who will be pleased to give you details of what is available.

200 Club

We are pleased to report that more people have now joined the 200 Club. It's not too late for YOU to join, and still be in time for the December draw which includes the chance to win one of the special £100 prizes that are offered twice a year. Contact the school office for an application form, and then return it by 13 December, together with £9 to cover the rest of the school year, to be included in the December draw.

Winners of the November draw were: £25 Mrs. S. Witty, £15 Mrs. J. Button., £10 Mr. A. Brown. The draw takes place on the third Thursday of each month, and the next one is on Thursday 16 December.

C.C.F.

We are very proud of our Combined Cadet Force which parades at the school every Friday. The cadets often participate in weekend activities, and they attend a week-long camp each year.

On 23 October, 15 members of the contingent took part in a night exercise on Mereworth Training Area near Maidstone, Everyone who attended enjoyed themselves, having the opportunity to fire blank ammunition provided by the Army. This exercise was, in fact, designed by a Cadet of the Contingent.

On Sunday 31 October, members of the Army section attended a national Army Cadet Orienteering Championship on Dunstable Down, near Luton. Although they didn't do very well. the results were very promising. considering the last minute mustering of inexperienced N.C.O.s and recruits.

On 5 November, 10 cadets turned out for Air Experience Flying at R.A.F. Manston. A good time was had by all, with one cadet enjoying a flight in the near darkness.

On Sunday 14 November, the Contingent turned out in full in Dover Town Centre to participate in the town's annual Remembrance Sunday Parade. Despite the cold weather there was an excellent turnout with the Dover Grammar School C.C.F. being the largest and best turned out contingent there. Flight Sergeant Anthony Downing, the N.CO. in charge of the RA.F. section, laid a wreath, and Sergeant Dave Fern, of the Army section, was the Standard Bearer for the Contingent.

Anyone wishing to join any of the three sections of our C.C.F. is welcome to come over to the Contingent Headquarters to see what goes on. New members are welcome from anyone in Year 8 and upwards.

Old Pharosians

The Old Pharosians held a committee meeting in November, and we are pleased to report that they have agreed to spend some money to provide adaptations to the grand piano in the hall to enable it to be moved around without causing damage to the piano, the hall floor, or those who are moving it! As always we are grateful to the Old Pharosians for all the help and support they give to the school.

This Saturday, 4 December, pupils, parents, friends and staff will be going on a coach outing to London, to visit the Computer Shopper Show and to do some Christmas shopping.

Don't forget, if you need some computer equipment, the school can provide it through its own business. Phlux Computing offers Floppy Disks and accessories, such as mouse mats, disk boxes, a printer re-inking service, labels and a single disk protector, at very reasonable prices. Contact the school for more details.

And finally, may we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!