THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2001 No. 77

SCHOOL CLOSURE PROCEDURES

At this time of year it would be wise for all parents to ensure that they are aware of the procedures we have in place in the unlikely event that the school has to close due to snow or other weather conditions.
If the school cannot open in the morning announcements will be broadcast on Radio Kent and Invicta Radio and we would ask parents to follow any information given in this way. 
Please do not phone the school to ask regarding closure information as our switchboard soon becomes jammed and emergency messages cannot get through. If the school has to close during the day the whole school will be told in an assembly and all pupils will be dismissed from their form rooms after they have confirmed their destination to their form teachers. For this reason we ask all pupils who live outside Dover to provide a local snow address in case the roads are impassable.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that these arrangements can go ahead smoothly and safely for all concerned.

WELCOME

As we start the New Year we welcome two new members of staff:-
Mr Stephen Nugus has joined us as Subject Leader for Science. He is a graduate from Sunderland University and joins us from The Community College, Whitstable.
Mr John Armstrong joins us until 6th April 2001 as part time Teacher of Design & Technology (Electronics). Mr Armstrong is a design engineer and has lectured at the North London College

CONGRATULATIONS

Following on from last month's good news of Paul Cairns and Luke Meredith making the Under 15 Kent team, we are proud to congratulate Ben Vick and Ricky Stanley on making the Kent Under 16 'A' Side. Congratulations also go to Matthew Carley and Matthew Thomas for making the Under 16 'C' Squad. 
A special mention must go to Ben Vick who has also been selected for the Under 16 London and South East Divisional side playing later this month. This is a considerable achievement and is one step away from a call to the England Schoolboy Development Squad. Well done Ben. 
We wish him well and all Dover Grammar School boys representing Kent in their forthcoming matches.

STAMP APPEAL

In support of the Blue Peter Stamp Appeal the school has a collection box at the School Office.
Any stamps handed in would be gratefully received.

Ritchie Hulks - Head Prefect

HISTORY CONFERENCE AT NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM
14th December

Listening to Gene Pitney, Manfred Mann and Bill Withers may not be the best way to start a school trip. However, this did not influence our opinion on the National Army Museum in Chelsea, which proved to be very worthwhile in helping us in our study to military developments and our coursework.
Andrew Robertshaw put on a lively and fact packed lecture focussing on the British Army from the 1740's up to the present day. He especially emphasised the British Army's need for allies when on the battlefield due to its vastly inferior numbers compared to France or Germany.
We also got to look and feel how weapons have changed during the years, from the smooth bore musket with bayonet to the far superior World War 2 Sten gun.
In the afternoon we were very fortunate to hear from Colonel Fitz-Enz, a veteran from the Vietnam war. He has a great passion about the 1812 war between Britain and America, a subject none of us knew a great deal about! It proved to be a fascinating insight into a rare British naval defeat at Platsburg.
To round off the day we looked at the museum's various galleries on different aspects of the British army. These ranged from womanise role in the army to artwork throughout the years.

Ritchie Hulks - Head Prefect

TRIP TO COLOGNE, GERMANY
17th December

On the 17th December at 11.30 pm 89 pupils from Years 8, 9 and 10 departed from Dover Eastern docks to go to Cologne, Germany. After a long journey on the coach and little sleep we finally reached our destination. We all thought it was really cold, but the excitement of being in Germany for the first time for most of the pupils made them forget about that detail! 
We started with a visit of the Cathedral and its treasure. The group then climbed to the top of the tower, about 700 steps...some gave up half way through but the majority of brave individuals went all the way (even a few suffering from vertigo...well done!) to admire a magnificent panorama of the town. We also spent some time on the Altermarkt, next to the cathedral, where some had a taste of German food. At one o'clock, we all met at the Hohenzollern Brueck for a boat ride on the Rhine. It was nice to have a little rest and a drink while enjoying the view and the comments of our guide.
Next, we took the tram to go to Neumarkt in order to do some shopping at the Christmas market and in the surrounding shops. Everybody found the last presents for Christmas! Finally, we all met up at 6.30 pm to return to England. I must say that the journey back was quieter as everyone was fairly tired! We arrived at the port at 2.45 am in the morning where tired but very understanding parents were waiting for us.
We really think that the time spent on the organisation of this trip was worth it and another one is planned for next December. Everyone was very well behaved and followed instructions to the letter. 
I would now like to thank the teachers who took part in this German experience: Messieurs Gaskell, Haines, Onions, Ralph and Stein, as well as those who covered for us while we were away. A very special thank you to Mr McKay and to Mr Roberts who kindly agreed to join us. My last thank you will go to Mrs Lloyd without whom this trip could not have taken place.

Miss Martin - French and German teacher

Our Trip to Cologne

Around 100 of us met at the departure lounge of the Eastern Docks at 11.30 pm on 17th December. These 100 consisted of about 40 from Year 8, the same from year 9, a handful from Year 10, teachers and parents helping out on the trip. We were registered in the small groups we were put into before boarding the boat. Obviously most went straight to the arcade room, however some just sat and talked with friends.
During the long seven hour coach journey many listened to music, played on gameboys or just talked while others decided to make the most of the little chance they would have to sleep over the next twenty four hours.
The two coaches arrived in Cologne at around 8.00 am and our attention was immediately drawn to the height of the Cathedral which we were told we would later have to climb. We went to a nearby McDonalds and had our breakfast and stretched our legs.
Afterwards we crossed the road and walked over to a Christmas Market. The markets were selling sweets, pastry goods, candles, models and on one stall there was some glass making. Those who had not eaten in McDonalds would definitely have made up to it here.
Next to Cologne Cathedral. We were amazed by the sheer size of it inside. Below there was a crypt and some small rooms with ancient treasures in as well as robes and statues.
We then climbed the tower - all 509 steps of it! It was a small spiral staircase with people coming down on the inside and us going up on the outside. However, it was well worth it when you reached the top with a view of about 25 miles in any direction.
It was far easier coming down and when we finally did reach the bottom we went on an hour-long boat trip along the Rhine. The guide was telling us about the history of the buildings we passed, however we couldn't hear what she was saying! We all had a drink before we got off the boat and walked a small distance to the train station. We travelled a few stops down the line to another Christmas market and some superstores.
Once we had finished shopping we walked through the town back to McDonalds where the coaches were parked. We climbed back onto the bus at 6.45 pm exhausted. On the journey back almost everyone slept. We arrived back at 2.45 am to our parents waiting in the arrivals lounge.
I'm sure everyone enjoyed the trip and would want to do it again.
Bradley Thomas - 9PT

Eine reise nach - Koln

At 10.30 on the evening of Sunday 17th December my Dad drove me down to Dover docks and at 10.45 we made it to the departure hall where I met up with everybody else. My Dad stayed because he was a group helper. We waited until Frau Lloyd led us out to board the two coaches waiting to take us to the ferry. Once on board we gave our money to Frau Lloyd, Melle Martin and Mr Haines to exchange into Deutsche Marks . We then went around the ship. Chris D'arcy and David Sharp spent the whole of the boat journey killing dinosaurs in 'The Lost World'. Lots of people crowded round, even people we had never seen before, to watch them kill thousands and thousands of dinosaurs while putting about £10 in the game. When we arrived in Calais we went back to the coaches after a short registration with our group leaders. The two coaches then set off on their eight-hour journey to Germany.
After an hour Frau Lloyd put Austin Powers 2 on the TV and we all watched that. After Austin Powers we watched The Simpsons and when that had finished Frau Lloyd encouraged us to go to sleep. I slept for about an hour. In Belgium we stopped at a motorway service station but when we got off the coach the temperature was minus 5 and we were all frozen. 
When we entered Germany I watched the sunrise then fell asleep for another hour. I woke up when we reached Cologne to see the trams rushing about. The coaches stopped outside a McDonalds, beside the Cathedral, at 9.30 am German time. When we got off the coach we went off with our group leaders. After we had eaten breakfast in McDonalds we looked around Cologne. When the Cathedral opened we walked up the thin, steep, concrete spiral staircase to the top. It took ages with over 1000 steps to climb up but the view from the top was amazing. When we got back down I realised that I had left my hat at the top and so I walked all the way back up to get it.
Later all the groups met up with each other and we boarded the 'Rheinland'. This was the tour boat that we went on down the Rheon. We saw the chocolate and sports museums that we were supposed to visit, but they were closed on Mondays. In the chocolate museum there is a fountain of chocolate with 2000 litres of it that you can actually eat! The tour lasted about one and a half hours. When we got off the boat we went on the U-Bahn, or underground railway, and took the train to Neumarkt. At Neumarkt we looked around a second Christmas fair - there are four in all. 
At 7.00 pm we all got back on the coaches and started back to Calais.
Thanks go to Mlle Martin, Frau Lloyd, My Dad, Mr Stein, Mr Haines, Mr Onions, Mr Ralph, Mr Gaskell and Mr McKay. Special thanks to Mlle Martin and Frau Lloyd who made this trip possible.

James Roberts - 9 CA

BUSINESS TRIP

Due to the starting time of the conference we left from Dover Priory Station at 7.48 am in order to arrive in London Victoria at around 10.00 am. From there we caught the underground and then walked to the Logan Hall.
The conference started shortly after we arrived beginning with an introduction from David Dyer, former Chief Examiner, who told us what the examiner is looking for in an exam paper. After this Roger Williams, Chief Examiner, spoke about businesses and their structure.
Following a short break David Dyer gave a talk about business objectives and after lunch Roger Williams spoke about the environment of a business. To conclude the conference David Dyer explained "The State, its objectives and its influences on a business".
We left the conference in good time so that we were able to get home earlier than at first predicted. Even though the underground was slightly busier than in the morning we arrived home at Dover Priory at 6.30 pm.

Henry Butler - 12 Castle

THE GILLINGHAM EXPERIENCE

Gillingham -v- Preston 16th December
It was early on a bitter Saturday morning and fifteen pupils from Years 7 and 8 set off in the minibus with Mr Gaskell, a Preston North End supporter, driving. Everyone but Mr Gaskell wanted a Gills victory. When we got to the Gillingham Training Ground and got ready for a two hour training session a few boys turned their noses up at the ground and weather.
We trained with two professional coaches who were both trained at Dover so they knew us quite well. We started with easy passes and skills, moving on to more physical activities which were very competitive. The goalkeepers had their work cut out when we started shooting practice.
When everyone was ready we left the training ground for Priestfield Stadium (Gillingham's ground). As part of the trip we were to be given a meal and as soon as the café opened the staff were rushed off their feet feeding the starving DGSB pupils. That kept us quiet for a while!
Next to come was the match. Everyone was excited, both clubs had been promoted the season before. They had also been promoted from Division 3 together a few seasons previously so there was a great rivalry between the two teams. The match started with a lot of noise from the crowd and Preston created a few chances but the Gills soon took over and within fourteen minutes Carl Asaba had scored after a great run by Paul Shaw. Eight minutes later Paul Shaw was again involved and carved out a chance for Carl Asaba to score yet again, 2-0. After that the game was pretty even until half time. Mr Gaskell, who was sitting away from us Gills fans, came over to us with his head in his jumper. He took a lot of stick from everyone. 
It was very cold but we were soon on our feet cheering an unstoppable Barry Ashby header, 3-0. Now I wonder where Mr Gaskell is? Preston then got a foot-hold in the game but the Gills killed the game in the 79th minute with a goal from the substitute, Reon King, who came on for the man of the match - Paul Shaw who set up three of the goals. I don't know why but Mr Gaskell was very quiet on the minibus back to Dover !!! Extra note for Mr Gaskell - don't forget 4-0.

Liam Friend - 8PY

MUSIC

Carol Service - On Wednesday 13th December the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight was presented in Charlton Church. The service included five favourite Christmas hymns for all to sing interspersed with fifteen carols performed by the School Choir, the music ranging in style from medieval plainsong to pieces by contemporary composers. The traditional nine Bible readings telling the story of Christmas were read by pupils (Jack Napier, Aaron Hobday and Head Prefect Ritchie Hulks), staff, parents, old boys and governors. The School Choir of over fifty voices was supported by the Brass Ensemble with Mr Baldock at the organ and Mr Davies conducting. The service was extremely well attended with the church filled to capacity and a Retiring Collection taken at the end amounted to £173 which will be donated to charity.
After the service refreshments were served in the Church Hall by the Parents and Friends Association and thanks are due to all pupils who contributed the mince pies.
Particular thanks are also due to Mrs Cynthia Sinclair of Charlton Church for once again arranging the candles which add so much to the atmosphere of this important occasion.
Music Awards - All singers who took part in the Carol Service received a Certificate of Representation in assembly at the end of term and three members of the choir were awarded Music Department Colours which allows them to wear the Performing Arts Tie in recognition of their exceptional service - Matthew Friend, Lawrence Williams and Ben Rushton.
Graded Practical Examinations - Congratulations are due to the following pupils who achieved excellent results in the recent Associated Board Practical Examinations:
Robert Manhire (Grade 1 Clarinet with Distinction)
James Garlick (Grade 5 Clarinet)
Thomas Munford (Grade 4 Alto Saxophone with Merit)
Ben Reay (Grade 3 Trumpet with Distinction)
Thomas Robinson (Grade 7 Tuba with Merit)
Thomas Smith (10CH) (Grade 5 Violin)
Matthew Neeve (Grade 3 Piano)
New Piano - The school is very pleased to have been presented with a Clavinova Electric Piano as the bequest of the late Mr Albert Stone. Mr Stone was a pupil at the school in the late 1920's - early 1930's and went on to become a school teacher himself, his specialist subject being Music. He kept in touch with DGSB throughout his life and was a regular supporter of school concerts until very recently. His piano is a valuable new resource for the Music Department and has been installed in the Instrumental Teaching Room.

Mr R S Davies - Director of Music

SCHOOL LIBRARY

Happy New Year to you all.
This half term should successfully see the issue to all pupils of their new personalised Library Cards. The response to which so far has been 'thumbs up' or 'cool'!! They will be put in the safe keeping of the boys who must take responsibility for them (I have every confidence). Any loan of resources or indeed returns will need to be supported by producing the Library Card.
In the event that a card is lost or destroyed - washing machines have a lot to answer for - can get them replaced at the cost of 50p. Any monies received will go towards paying for their production. Thanks to Mr Skelton, Reprographics Department for all his help. The cards will be replaced and updated at the beginning of each academic year.
These cards along with the newly installed Library Management System and attached laser scanner (thanks to the PFA) should make for a more effective and efficient service. 
The new year begins with the slightly daunting task of co-ordinating five voucher/token schemes and as always your help is requested and appreciated.
This term's collections are:
* Tesco Computers for Schools - end of January.
* Nestle Cereal Box Tops - conversion of tokens into cash.
* Free Books for Schools - Walkers Crisps, Sun and News of the World Newspapers - during January.
* Free Software for Schools - vouchers in Telegraph newspaper now.
* Ink for IT - PC World old used computer cartridges. The cartridges for collection are: all Hewlett Packard, Lexmark and Canon BC01/02/05/06/20, BX2 & BX3. Bags are available from the Librarian.
All tokens can be handed in at the School Office or direct to me. Please label any envelopes clearly. Collection boxes will be available for some schemes. Crisp packets can also be left intact this year - an added bonus!
In anticipation and appreciation.

Mrs L George - Librarian

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Encarta Multimedia Encyclopaedia 2000, Interactive Atlas 2000 and other reference materials are now available on the school network.

Mr Woolger - ICT Co-ordinator

ARCHAEOLOGY CLUB

On Friday 1st December Mr Phil Rye, an archaeological illustrator and former colleague of Mr Gaskell, visited the Archaeology Club. He brought with him some Boxgrove hand axes which were used half a million years ago to butcher animals. These stone axes were very sharp and were made from flint. (I even cut myself on one even though I was handling it with great care).
We were shown how to make these flint axes and also how to draw them. Mr Rye also brought with him a large collection of animal bones. These included a massive horse's skull, some camel bones, some rhino teeth and many other bones. We were allowed to handle these bones. What I found amazing was how big the horse's skull was. It had giant empty eye sockets and a huge mouth still with some teeth inside it. Some of these teeth were wobbly. I was also fascinated by the rhino teeth which were very sharp. When I asked Mr Rye where these teeth came from he told me they had been found in England. He also told me that lions and tigers also used to live in this country half a million years ago. 
Mr Rye showed us some very good drawings. These were of plants, animals, bones and other historical artefacts. There was one picture of a dinosaur skeleton. This picture was excellent. It took up a whole piece of A3 paper and it had only taken him one hour.
I have learnt a lot from Mr Rye's visit and I'm sure the whole Archaeology Club has as well.

Alistair Walker - 7PY

PFA

The Christmas Draw raised just over £1100. Thank you to everybody who helped and took part.
Just a reminder that items of uniform are available from the School Office after school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
The next PFA Committee meeting is next Tuesday, 16th January at 7.30 pm.

OLD PHAROSIANS

The latest edition of the newsletter of the Old Pharosians' Association - the old boys of the school - is now being printed ready for distribution to more than 700 former pupils around the world.
As well as keeping members up to date with developments at the school, it also contains news about pupils who were at the school from the early 1900s to 1999.
Items include an award for a former pupil who emigrated to Australia and has been recognised for his contribution to sport, a drummer with a top band who returned to Dover to perform with some of the present pupils at a pop festival, a barrister who gave a lecture at Worcester Cathedral to link the making of the Magna Carta in 1215 with the European Human Rights Act that had just come into effect and several appeals from old boys for information about those they were at school with.
Sadly, we also record the deaths of several members who had distinguished careers in their chosen fields, who remembered the school with great affection, and the passing of a lady, just five months short of her 100th birthday, who was in charge of cooking arrangements for the school shortly after the Second World War when the boys returned from their evacuation in Wales.
The next meeting of the Old Pharosians' Committee will take place at the school on Tuesday 13th March at 7.00 pm.

Mr G Tutthill - Newsletter Editor

SPORTS NEWS

FOOTBALL
Year 7 - This has been an outstanding term's performance from those boys who have played. A large number of boys attended the trials and as always it was a difficult task to choose the team for the early matches of the season.
Two teams were entered for the Dover District Schools 7-a-side tournament at Castle Community School in Deal. Both teams played well, the stronger A team won all their matches including the match against the B team.
The first match of the season against Sandwich saw a very competent team performance with 10 goals being scored in our favour and none in reply. The four further local league matches saw us remaining unbeaten with a total of 58 goals having been scored with only 3 against.
Our toughest opponents of the year were Norton Knatchbull School at Ashford. Here, with a weakened team we drew 2-2 against a well-organised Ashford side. Sam Gore was outstanding in defence and cut out many of their attacks.
In the County Cup we have encountered no real problems so far, soundly beating Pent Valley 12-1 at home. In the second round we played at Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs and again beat them well to win 8-2. It is not known yet who we play in the next round which will be early in the New Year.
The following boys have played for the team:
Henry Haste, Chris Keen, Calum Forrester, Sammy Brannan, Aaron Reed, Sam Gore, Lloyd Stevenson, Ryan Powlter, Stephen Grant, Tom Kent, Nick Shaw, James Jolliffe, Jay Moseling, Remy Martin, Jamie Guy, Jack Little, Craig Higgins, Ben Walker, Aidan Gregory, Jamie Down, Daniel Radcliffe, Nathan Cotter.

Year 8 - Another very successful season for the Year 8 team building on their strong showing last year.
We started the year well, successfully defending the Dover District 7-a-side tournament at Castle Community School. The cup was won with a draw against St Edmund's, the only points we were to drop all day, and then a string of victories against Walmer, Astor, Sir Roger Manwoods, Castle Community and Archers Court.
We then turned our attention to the District League, a competition we dominated last season. We again dominated the league, failing to drop a point and only conceding 3 goals. We beat:-
Walmer 8-1
Archers Court 17-0
Astor 8-0
St Edmunds 11-1
Castle Community 9-0
The County Cup was our next port of call with a tough first round draw against Hereson School, the team that knocked us out in the quarter-finals last year. A hard fought game was capped with an excellent victory 5-3 to gain revenge for last year's result. We then hosted St Anselms R C School, Canterbury. The opposition was disappointingly weak and we turned them over an extremely convincing 21-0. 
The third round saw us journeying to Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs to meet a well-organised and big side. On a wet pitch we gave away two early goals and struggled to get back on terms, coming to within one goal with 15 minutes to play. Chasing the game we took a defender off and replaced him with a striker and got hit with two late goals to only one in reply, losing 5-3.
With such a full fixture list and the appalling weather we only managed to get in one friendly match against a strong Norton Knatchbull side at Ashford. We battled well and our superior technique and finishing skills showed with a comfortable 6-2 win.
Again a very pleasing year for the Year 8 team, Dover District League winners and Dover District 7-a-side champions. Our only disappointment is that our only loss of the season saw us out of the County Cup again.
Well done to all boys who played for the Year 8 team this season.
Year 9 - This year has been quite a successful one for the Year 9 team. We have played well in most of our games and beaten most teams convincingly. Our biggest disappointment was our exit from the County Cup in the first round.
We started the season with a tough away game against Sandwich Technology. We started well and scored first but two goals from them put us under pressure and it needed a last minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw.
We then went on to the annual 7-a-side tournament hosted by Castle Community School. We went in as holders and knew we always had a chance of taking the trophy back with us. Starting slowly we beat St Edmunds 1-0 in our first game. We then beat the hosts comfortably 2-0, Walmer 2-0 but under performed against Manwood's drawing 0-0. The final game against Archers Court was played well and we won 2-0 with goals from Steven King and Stephen O'Brien. This meant we won and defended the trophy without conceding a goal.
Playing against St Edmunds we won 11-1 with some brilliant finishing from forwards James Brannan and Lewis Fitzjohn. Other goals came from Stephen O'Brien, Craig Trimble and Ben Punton.
The following week we played host to Castle Community winning 4-0. Steven King scored 3 and Simon Pearson-Wood scored the other.
On Saturday 7th October we left early for the trip to Norton Knatchbull. We were up against it as we only had ten players, one Year 8 and were playing a side that had beaten us easily last year. We started disastrously and were 1-0 down inside 30 seconds. However we then began to play brilliantly and put in our best performance since we have been playing together for the school. We went on to win the game 7-3 with the scorers being Steven King, James Clements, Stephen O'Brien and Craig Trimble. Everybody played well but credit must go to Ben Punton for his performance in holding the defence together.
We then played our local rivals Astor, not playing good football but everyone battled well. James Brannan scored but they fought back and took a 2-1 lead, Craig Trimble then equalised and Steven King scored a last minute winner to seal the game. Because of the bad weather the Walmer match was our last league game of the season and we finished our league campaign well with a 10-2 win. Goals came from Lewis Fitzjohn, James Brannan, Steven King and Simon Pearson-Wood. Then came our biggest disappointment. We played a very strong Homewood side in the County Cup and on a boggy pitch we never got started and were soundly beaten 9-1. Our only goal came from Lewis Fitzjohn.
The players who have played this year are: Steven King, Lewis Fitzjohn, James Brannan, Stephen O'Brien, Craig Trimble, James Clements, Simon Pearson-Wood, Ben Punton, Joffey Towe, Richard Hayward, Lewis Callanan, Lewis Baker, Paul Cairns, Luke Cochrane, Sean Golden, Nathan Allen and Lewis Cockayne.
Year 10 - The first game of the season pitted us against Archers Court. They competed well but in the end we won comfortably 4-0.
In our second match Sandwich Technology travelled to Dover in a match we comfortably won 10-1 with Edward Close, Peter McCarvill and Jamie Howland all scoring braces. 
Next was the annual 7-a-side tournament at Castle Community School. We never got going in this tournament and finished in fourth position.
We travelled to St Edmunds for our next match. We were victorious by an 8-0 scoreline with Jamie Jordan scoring a brace. 
Our next match was our first Kent Cup game played against Hartsdown, Ramsgate. Hartsdown knocked us out last year. We played well and in the second half we started to show our strength and came through 4-1 winners with two goals each for Robbie Guy and Edward Close.
The derby match against Astor saw a very close first half with no team having any real advantage but by the end of the match the score was 6-2. Edward Close scored a hat trick.
Our next Kent Cup match was against Archers Court. After already beating them this season we were confident and emerged 5-1 winners.
Our last match this term saw us play against Norton Knatchbull. It was a very physical contest. Our centre backs, Ryan Doel and Lee Westgarth, remained strong with Matt Groombridge and Martin Bannister providing good outlets. As the match continued our district midfield, Paul, Mulhearn, Gary Mulhearn, Robbie Guy and Peter McCarvill began to control the game. This proved vital and we went on to become 3-1 winners. We are now in the last 16.
We would like to thank Mr Seidenbird for his time and effort.
The team consisted of: Daniel Ashby, Ben Bulow, Ryan Wilson, Martin Bannister, Matt Groombridge, Lee Westgarth, Ryan Doel, Robbie Guy (Captain), Paul Mulhearn, Gary Mulhearn, Peter McCarvill, Toby Freeman, Edward Close, Jamie Howland, Jamie Jordan, Tythe Smythe, Chris Toh.
1st XI Football Report 2000
The season started off with an excellent win against Oakwood Park Grammar School at home. Lots of pressure from the side saw us slot 5 goals past them.
A rather wet and muddy pitch at Canterbury saw another excellent team performance with 3 goals being scored in our favour and 1 against. Despite playing uphill in the second half we managed to hold onto our lead despite a lot of pressure on our defensive line.
The wettest pitch of the season found us at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School. Overall this was not a good team performance as we made several errors both in defence and midfield. The result ended in a 2-1 defeat for the side.
Our next three matches saw us go through rather a bad patch, losing to last season's league winners, Maidstone G.S., at home 5-3. Two other games ended in defeat - Rainham Mark 3-0 and Norton Knatchbull 4-2.
A very weakened side turned out against Astor at the end of November. A strong wind saw a rather erratic team performance. We settled down in the second half with the wind in our favour to play some better football and deserved to win 4-1 at the final whistle.
Our next match saw us travelling with only ten players due to exams and trips to Queen Elizabeth's at Faversham. Playing downhill in the first half we scored 2 early goals and this proved to be an excellent start. In the second half 2 further goals rounded off our excellent team performance aided by some strenuous defending. The captain Kevin Doughty played an outstanding part in the team's win.
Our last game of this term was against Borden Grammar School at home. The team started poorly and we were under a lot of pressure for the first 20 minutes. We started to settle down and play some better football. Goals were scored by Tom Evans, Kevin Doughty and Luke Stockdale scored 2 to round off the season.
2nd XI Football Report 2000 by Mr D Morrissey
The season started positively for DGSB 2nd XI with a 3-1 win at home against St Georges from Broadstairs. Although not a great match Dover proved themselves to be the superior side and were well in control of the game throughout. A week later Dover's winning ways continued with a good away result against the Harvey G S (5-4). Things looked promising. Indeed at this point I was quite confident the season would be theirs.
Simon Langton were the next visitors who in a fairly close match managed to secure a victory over Dover (3-1). At times during this match Dover hinted at letting their heads go down if pressured. They were the superior side but they weren't working as a team. Was this a sign of things to come?
Over the next few weeks DGSB experienced a string of defeats at the hands of Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Norton Knatchbull and on all occasions the problem seemed to be letting in soft early goals and then struggling to get on equal terms for the duration of the match. A cup game against Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 11th November proved to be the darkest day of the season. The 1st XI game had been cancelled so this was DGSB's only chance of progressing in a cup competition. We did not have our usual side (all credit to those who agreed to play at short notice) but we were confident we could get a result from this match. The weather was awful and the pitch waterlogged, but by the end of the first half DGSB were leading 3-2 and looked well in control of the match. With driving rain accompanying the start of the second half, Dover conceded two quick goals and then struggled to hold it together as a team. Losing one of our players, due to a couple of over-eager challenges on the opposition (no names mentioned but I hear he's now closely associated with potnoodles), proved to be our final downfall. Shamefully we lost 9-3. Certainly memorable but perhaps not for the right reasons.
Despite this loss DGSB did go on to prove they had more spirit and commitment than these results show. The first two games of the season versus Norton Knatchbull and Faversham were a joy to watch. Each player gave everything and a real team spirit was starting to develop. In both games there were some wonderful moments with hard tackling and confident possession of the ball. One of two players showed that they could play quality football and some cracking goals were scored (e.g. Scott Guy's overhead screamer against Knatchbull). Although in many ways you make your own luck in football (and anything else) it did seem on many occasions that the football gods were cheering on the other side. What do you do I ask when the ball is crossed into the box from 30 yards and defies the laws of physics by landing and stopping dead, perfectly placed on the edge of the six yard box for the opposition to tap in (the mud might have had something to do with it). Needless to say we lost both games!
Finally I would just like to say thank you to all the players who made an eventful season enjoyable and next year I am sure we will have more success. After all winning isn't everything!

BASKETBALL - County Cup
Year 7 - A scratch Year 7 side made the long journey up the M20 to Hayes for their 1st round county cup match. We knew we were up against it when looking in the home side's trophy cabinet. They had won the National Cup competition four times in the last seven years!! Despite the pedigree of our opponents the boys gave a good account of themselves scoring some baskets and defending stoutly. Hayes were just too strong for us winning by a comfortable margin.
Year 8 - The Year 8 team had a more local draw against our old league rivals Harvey Grammar. Unfortunately this year they got the better of us in both league and cup, coming away comfortable winners despite a valiant effort from the Year 8 boys.
Year 9 - The Year 9 boys have been more fortunate with their draw. Aylesford were unable to field a team in the time scale dictated by the Kent Basketball Association therefore awarding us the game. We play Swadelands in the 2nd round.
Year 10 - We were drawn against Sevenoaks School, a selective independent school, in the first round. This was an early season game and it showed with little match fitness. It took a long while before we got used to the perspex backboards which were less forgiving than our wooden ones. Sevenoaks comprehensively out scored us in the first half and we were unable to make up the deficit in the second.
First Team - Our bad luck in the draw continued when we were drawn against Gravesend Boys Grammar who are coached by the England coach. Again we started slowly not finding the basket in the first quarter. Whilst managing to defend well we were not as organised as the Gravesend team and their superior game plan told as we started to find the hoop. Great individual performances from all of the team especially Julian Bailes and Anthony Boden were not enough to counter our short bench which left the five boys who did make the effort to travel extremely tired when playing against a well rotated and organised ten man team.
District League 
Year 8 - The Year 8 team have started promisingly in the district league with a good win against Archers Court whilst losing narrowly to Brockhill Park and Harvey Grammar. We are half way through the season with games against Channel High, Pent Valley and Sandwich Tech to be played before half term.
Year 10 - After their early exit from the County Cup the Year 10's have had a mixed season in the league so far. Losing to Archers Court and St. Edmunds, both with a short bench, was followed by the ignominy of having to concede a game against Southlands College when only three players turned up. With a change in selection we then went on the beat Brockhill Park and narrowly lose to Harvey Grammar. Matches before half term are: Channel High, Pent Valley and Sandwich Tech.

RUGBY
A full timetable of rugby fixtures will ensue this season with the Year 7, 8 and 9 teams being entered in a new district league running for the first time this year. Senior teams will continue to play the school's traditional calendar of friendly games against local schools whilst branching out for the first time into the Army National Sevens competition at Rosslyn Park. Years 7 to 11 have been entered in the Kent School's Rugby Festivals which are coming up in the next few weeks whilst Year 7 have been entered into the Daily Telegraph National 12-a-side competition. We wish all our teams well in the forthcoming season.

Mr K Onions - PE Department

ADVANCE NOTICE OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS

Please note that pupils should not attend school on the following dates as these are staff development days:-
Monday 5th February
Tuesday 6th February
Monday 26th February