THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER OCT 1994 No. 11

The partnership between the school and the White Cliffs Countryside Project was highlighted yesterday (Wednesday) at the Junior Prizegiving when project officer Mr. Nick Johannsen was our special guest

Mr. Johannsen pointed out how lucky we are that our school is so close to the chalk grassland of Whinless Down which is very important and very rich in wildlife. He thanked the students and staff, and particularly Mr. Paul Skelton, for the help that has been given with looking after the grassland to ensure that the wild flowers, orchids and butterflies have a much better chance of still being around in 20 years time.

A number of boys (and girls) were involved in the ceremony, providing musical items, reading poems, and giving reports.
We congratulate everyone who took part, and all those who received prizes or merit certificates.

After the inspection

Last month we told you that the school was to undergo a full inspection by OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education) in September. That has now taken place, and the Inspectors' report will be published within the next few days. A copy of a summary of that report will be sent to all parents. The Governors then have 10 produce an "action plan", setting out how they will address any matters which the Inspectors may raise. Details of this action plan will also be sent to all parents. So you will have plenty of reading material over the next couple of months! Please take the time 10 read it . . . it is important to the future of the school.

Parents and Friends Association

Our thanks to all those who attended the P.F.A. annual meeting - a record attendance - and those who supported the Wine and Wisdom evening last Friday which raised more than £300. The next Wine and Wisdom is on Friday 18 November. . . book your table now!

Unfortunately the Antiques Day, planned for 27 October, has had to be postponed until next year.

The P.F.A. committee meets tonight (Thursday). We are grateful to all those who have volunteered to serve on the, committee. Anyone else who is willing to join should contact Tim Moseling, via the school. He will also be pleased to receive any suggestions for future fund-raising or social events.

Fifty years on!

There's been a lot of talk about what was happening in Dover 50 years ago and our school has been involved too, as our caretaker Mr. Peter Chatfield reports .

I had just settled down to watch the Formula One grand prix from Portugal when there was a ring at the doorbell. . . and there stood four ladies who were stationed at the school as WRNS during the war, and wondered if they could have a look around. Thus began two hours of: "Do you remember this Ethel?" or "Can you possibly show us that?" I was beginning to enjoy myself as much as they were.

My first job was to show them their "Old Cabin". After a group discussion it was unanimously agreed that their cabin had definitely been located in the Junior Biology Laboratory. I was shown where all the bunks were situated, 24 two-tier bunks, 48 WRNS in all. Who said 30 pupils was overcrowding?

They recalled they all wore long knitted bedsocks because it was so cold at nights, and one had a blue and white housecoat made out of an old blanket.

Another of the memories that made us all chuckle concerned one of the ladies who fell in a hip bath of cold water in the corridor outside what is now the Senior Biology Lab. The reason for her fall was the blackout, and the reason for the bath was a leaky roof. Things don't change a lot do they? The roof still leaks . .. but at least the bath has gone!

And so the afternoon trip down memory lane continued "Can we see the Quarter Deck?" This turned out to be the Quad. Hallowed ground to a Naval Rating, especially an 18-year-old WRN. "The Galley (kitchen and canteen) hasn't changed a lot. I must say the Decks (corridors) are certainly looking nice."

Cameras click, flashes explode. Would I be kind enough to take a snap of them all on the Quarter Deck? "We never had flowers growing here in our day. Maybe a shot with the harbour in the background. Would you stand in one of the photographs?" I heard about the dances in the Great Hall, the mad rush to get into the shelters, the rare trips to local dances.

I'm glad they called. . . a most enjoyable two hours.

A few days later, another two former WRNS visited the school, one of them with her husband, and they recalled how they became engaged in the school grounds.

Sports news

Soccer

The school's 1st XI played four league games and won them all. They also beat the Old Pharosians 72 for the Andrew Kremer Cup.

1k league results were: 8-1 against Dare Court (scorers John Stonebridge 4, Grant Sanders 3, Justin Luchford 1); 7-4 against Norton Knatchbull (Justin Luchford 3, Grant Sanders 2, James Wilde and Michael Robinson 1 each); 3-2 against Rainham Mark (Grant Sanders, John Stonebridge and Michael Robinson), and 2-0 against Harvey Grammar (Grant Sanders 2).

Sixth formers Grant Sanders, Justin Luchford, Michael Robinson, Chris Childs and John Stonebridge have been selected for the final Kent Under 19 trial. Paul Campling was also selected but has chosen to go to the Kent Under 19 Rugby trials which are being held on the same day.

The school's 2nd XI have played four league games so far, winning two and losing two. Their results were: 2-6 against Canterbury High (Adam Morris and Nils Bucknell), 3-2 against Norton Knatchbull (Richard Wratten 2 and Neil Farmery), 5-3 against Castle High (Kevin Galvin 2, Richard Wratten, Ben Brothwell and Nils Bucknell) and 1-3 against Harvey Grammar (Matthew Eade), There are still eight league games to play.

Our school entered a number of teams in the Dover Schools Football Association seven-a-side competition and our Year 7 and Year 11 teams were outright winners. In Year 7, Group A, our B team were beaten by Astor 1-0, and beat Sandwich 1-1. In Group B our A team beat St. Edmund's 4-0, Walmer 2-0 and Castle High 5-0. They then went on to win the final 3-0 against Astor.

In Year 8, our team lost to St. Edmund's 1-0, beat Castle High 2-0, drew with Astor 0-0, lost to Walmer 2-1 and beat Sandwich 1-0. They ended up in third place.

The Year 9 team lost 2-0 to St. Edmund's, beat Castle High 3-0 and Astor 1-0, lost to Walmer 1-0 and drew with Sandwich 0-0, also ending up in third place.

The Year 10 team came second in their section - but only by goal difference - after beating St. Edmund's 2-1, Castle High 3-0, Astor 1-0 and Sandwich 6-0 but losing 1-0 to Walmer.

And finally, our Year 11 team won their section by beating Sandwich 1-0, Walmer 3-0, Astor 3-0 and Castle High 5-2.

Congratulations to all the players.

Rugby

Our rugby team lost 12-0 to Harvey Grammar.

Golf

Alex Ridings, Daniel Oliver and Mark Eade will be representing the school at the South East England Schools Golf Championships tomorrow (Friday) and we wish them well.

C.C.F.

On Friday 23 September, the Combined Cadet Force had its Biennial Inspection. The Inspecting Officer was Group Captain David MacTeer, Deputy Head of the Housing Trust team at the Ministry of Defence.

The Contingent Commander wishes to thank all cadets for the hard work they put in during the day. Our thinks also to the Head Teacher, and to Mrs. Sue Barham and to Mrs. Julie Liddon for their work in providing a buffet lunch which was well received.

Paul Barnes would like to thank all members of the R.A.F. Section for the work they put in before and during the inspection. Particular thanks to David Hughes for the Computer Programme lecture, and James Carpenter for the lecture and providing the Guard of Honour, Matthew Dowling for the First Aid, and Mr. Dave Murray, for the loan of the network.

The R.A.F. Section will be going to R.A.F. Locking during half term to undertake caving, abseiling, target shooting and hill walking, all under qualified R.A.F. instructors. We will be starting an Amateur Radio course in the near future.

Subject to weather, the R.A.F. Section will be flying from R.A.F. Manston twice this term.

Well done to Anthony Dowling for obtaining an R.A.F. flying scholarship.

200 Club

The P.F.A. 200 Club has welcomed a number of new members in recent weeks, but there is room for more. If you would like more information please contact Jill Tutthill on Dover 822121. It only costs £1 a month, and the club has raised £500 for P.F.A. funds in the last year.

Prize winners for September were: £25 Mrs. S. Witty (club membership number 187), £15 Mrs. L. D. Husk (162), £10 Mr. J. Knight (131).