THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER MARCH 1994 No. 6

Come and join a painting party!

WOULD you like to help us brighten up the school? Then this is your chance!

Over the past couple of years, a number of people, including our caretaker Peter Chatfield and some of the boys, have helped paint some parts of the school. But there is more to be done. . . and we would like YOU to come and help us.

In a joint operation, involving the governors, Parents and Friends Association, staff, pupils and old boys of the school, we are organising a "painting party weekend" on Saturday and Sunday 19 and 20 March.

We are concentrating on the block which houses the computer complex, toilets, science labs, geography room and the modem languages department. That area is in desperate need of re-decorating, and we are sure that if a good number of helpers turn out, we can transform it and make it a much more pleasant area.

What we want you to do is come along, with your paintbrushes and rollers, for as much time as you can manage between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either - or both - days. It doesn't matter if you can only give us an hour of your time, every bit of help will be much appreciated. If you can stay over lunch time, please bring some sandwiches with you. We'll provide the tea and coffee. . . and the paint, of course!

Going Grant-Maintained (at the time of writing this newsletter we were still waiting for the Education Secretary's decision), puts the future of the school very much in OUR hands, and this is one way in which we can make a vast difference to the school.

So, PLEASE give us some of your time over this weekend.

"Smart" work goes on display

In last month's newsletter we told you about the "Sid's Smart School Award" made by the White Cliffs Experience to our boys for their good behaviour while visiting the centre. Our school was picked out from more than 70 schools that visited the centre during the month, and received three nominations from the staff. The project work produced by the Year 7 boys during that visit is to go on display in the education room at the centre.

Music

The next event in the school's music calendar takes place this month. It is a Spring Concert which will be held in the School Hall on Thursday 24 March at 7.30 p.m. Pupils and staff will provide an interesting programme of music.

Director of Music, Richard Davies, will be giving an organ recital at the school on Saturday 23 April at 7.30 p.m.

There's Snow Business Like...

The half-term ski-ing trip to Evolene, Switzerland, was a great success. The fantastic weather and snow conditions were matched by the participating group of students who showed admirable maturity and skill both on the piste and off. Many favourable comments were made by other teachers, ski instructors and resort staff.

There were inevitable cultural and social clashes, such as: grappling with a raclette and fondue ("wots wrong wiv burger and chips?"); encountering the local customs during carnival week (Jonathan Coates is still recovering from being molested by a "sheep"), and GIRLS! Suffice to say on this latter point, that after a week's ski-ing lessons and two discos (Simon Moseling winning the John Travolta award!), the parting scenes involved address-swapping (at the last count Sam Palmer had 9 pen-pals), and floods of tears (some of the girls were upset, too!).

Information concerning next year's trip will be distributed soon, so all interested parties should start saving NOW!

Other dates for your diary

Parents and pupils are invited to an options evening being held on Tuesday 22 March at 7 p.m. for Year 9 pupils (to consider G.C.S.E. subjects) and Year 11 (A level options).

On Tuesday 29 March, a whole school photo is being laken for the first time since 1989. A top-class photographer from Oxford is coming to take the photo, and we look forward to seeing the final result. Please make sure that everyone is dressed appropriately - and smartly - for this occasion.

The Annual Parents' Meeting has been fixed for Tuesday 17 May, at 7.30 p.m. It may be a long way ahead at the moment, but please book the date in your diary.

The Old Pharosians' Committee meets on Thursday 7 March.

Parents and Friends Association

Among the events currently being planned by the P.F.A. is a wine and wisdom evening on 29 April, and a boot fair on Saturday 21 May at the school. So, start looking through your attic and store cupboards now, and be ready to book your pitch!

The next P.F.A. Committee meeting takes place on Monday 25 April.

200 Club

Each month the 200 Club gives you the chance to win a cash prize of £25, £15, or £10, for a monthly subscription of just £1. Twice a year, there's a special £100 prize. The next one is due in June. If you would like to join, contact the School Office for an application form, and return it by 15 March, together with £6 to cover the rest of the school year.

Winners of the February draw were: £25 Mrs. J. Button, £15 Mr. Paul Hough, £10 Mr. David Courtney. The draw takes place on the third Thursday of each month, and the next one is on Thursday 17 March.

C.C.F.

We are sorry that the Combined Cadet Force lost some of their uniforms and equipment when fire broke out in their headquarters at the school last week. An electric heater was at the seat of the fire, but fortunately the blaze was spotted quickly, and the flames were contained to one area, although smoke damaged much of the building and its contents. Our thanks to all those who have been helping to clear up.

Sports News

Soccer

This Saturday, our Under 16 team will play in the semi-final of the Invicta Cup - the county cup competition - when they are away against Bexley and Erith Technical High School. The team got through to the semi-final after a great win against Norton Knatchbull (Ashford) in the quarter-finals, 4-3. They had been 3-0 down at half-time. Scorers were Grant Sanders (2), James Wilde and Matthew Andrews.

Kristian Allen played for Kent Under 15s against Essex at Brentford, which ended in a 4-4 draw.

The Under 19s 1st XI finished their season in second place in the East Kent Schools League, but only by one point. Simon Langton were the winners with 18 points, our team had 17 points, and Chaucer were third with 15.

Five school teams are through to the second round of the District Cup competition. The Under 16s won their first round match against Archers Court 6-3, the under 15s and Under 14s both had byes. In the next round, the Under 15s will play Walmer and the Under 14s will play Astor. The Under 12s won 9-6 at Walmer after a replay.

There was an exciting game at the school on Tuesday when the Under 13s played Manwood's. By half-time the score was 2-1 to Manwood's (they had actually scored all the goals including an own goal), and a superb shot by Joe Gibbens brought the scores level at the final whistle. With the light fading, it was decided to have a penalty shoot-out, and as a result of a combination of good shooting and fine saving by our boys, they went through to the second round 3-2.

We wish all the teams well in the next round.

Rugby

In games against the Duke of York's both our Year 7 and Year 8 teams lost, the Year 7 team 29-0, and Year 8 17-5. Future fixtures include a match against Oakwood Park Gammar School (away) today (3 March), the 1st XV, B XV, Year 9 and 10 XVs v Bethany School (away) on 9 March, and 1st XV and under 16 XV games against Minster College at home at 2.45 p.m. on 16 March. Spectators will he welcome!

Cross-Country

The Powell Cup inter-house competition is at 2 p.m. ore March.

Chess

The school's three chess teams have completed their programme, with varying degrees of success. The Under 13 beat Pent Valley 5-0 and lost to Harvey Grammar (1.5-3.5) making their games score 6.5-3.5. The Under 16s beat Pent Valley 4-1, lost to Harvey 2-3, lost to Simon Langton 0.5-4.5 and drew with Dover College 2.5-2.5, making their games score 9-11.

The Senior team drew with Harvey (2.5-2.5) and Simon Langton (2-2), but lost to Dover College (1.5-3.5) and to King's (0.5-4.5), making their games score 6.5-12.5.

Although our only big successes were against a non-selective school, most matches were close with some good games played by most team members.

School Council

The School Council, made up of pupil representatives from throughout the school, meets this Friday, 4 March, at 1.30 p.m.

And finally.  .  .

We are sorry that at the end of this month, we will be saying "farewell" to our school secretary, Mrs. Cheryl Woods, who is taking early retirement.

We are very grateful to Cheryl for all she has done for the school over many years, and we wish her well for the future.

The first Thursday in April is during the Easter holiday, so the next "First Thursday" newsletter will be distributed on Thursday 5 May.