Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERWords and music
By now, you should all have received a copy of the Governors’ Annual Report.
The annual parents’ meeting, on Wednesday 15 March, is your chance to discuss it - and
ask any questions you wish to about the way the school is run.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m., and it will be followed at 8 p.m. by the Spring Concert.
Refreshments will be served between the meeting and the concert, courtesy of the
Parents and Friends Association.
So we hope that as many of you as possible will support the school, its governors, staff
and pupils, by coming along to this evening.
- and drama
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 30, 31 March and 1 April, the next joint Grammar
Schools’ theatrical production takes place, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Perhaps the most popular of all Shakespeare’s plays, “Dream” has appeal
for all age groups, mixing a fascinating portrayal of the fickleness of human relationships with uproarious comedy from
the amateur actors who perform their play within the play. It is highly visual, fast-moving theatre,
whose impact will be increased by director Mike Thomas’s decision to present it “in the
round”, with the action played out in the heart of the audience.
The 25-strong cast draws from the entire age range of the school, from year 7 to year 13,
and includes seven pupils from the Girls’
Grammar School.
Tickets, which are £3 for adults and £1.50 for students, will be available from both
schools soon. The performances are at 7.30 p.m. each evening.
Test results out today
Last month we told that more than 100 boys, who
want to join our school in September, had spent a Saturday morning at the school to take our own
entrance tests. They were drawn from 150 who put us as their first choice.
The results of those tests - and the county’s selection procedure - are published today
(Thursday), and on the basis of one or the other procedure, we are delighted that 91 boys are being
offered places here. That means we are over-subscribed, and a waiting list has been formed.
This is very encouraging news and a good sign for the future of the school. The appeals system now
comes into operation so that the parents of boys who have not been selected can challenge that
decision. We look forward to welcoming all the new boys this autumn.
Combined Cadet Force
Members of our contingent will be visiting an RAF Camp in Germany from 29 March to 5 April, and adventure training on Dartmoor from 7 to 14 April.
Parents’ and Friends’ Association
The P.F.A. committee met last night (Wednesday) to make arrangements for future events. Another Wine and Wisdom evening will be held in a few weeks time - watch out for more details which will be circulated soon. A Spring Draw and Boot Fair will take place on Saturday 13 May, so please book the date now.
200 Club
Winners of the February draw were Mr. and Mrs. C. Drewry, (£25), Mr.
D. P. Bull (£15) and Mr. J. Wills (£10). The draw takes place on the third Thursday of each month, so if you
are not yet a member, and would like to stand a chance of winning one of the prizes, all you have to do is to send a
cheque for £6 (to cover your subscription for the rest of the school year), made payable to D.G.S.B., P.F.A., 200 Club, to
the 200 Club organiser, Jill Tutthill, c/o of the school. Send
it in by 14 March to be included in this month’s draw.
Can we also remind those who pay their subscriptions in two installments, that the second £6 is now
due, if you would kindly send the money in, without the need for a costly reminder to be sent out, it would be most helpful.
Grand Ball
The committee making preparations for this year’s Grand Ball, which is to be held at the school on Saturday 15 July, is meeting this afternoon, and more details of the event will be announced soon.
Governors
The various committees of the Governing Body meet during the coming weeks, and the next full Governors’ meeting takes place on Monday 3 April at 7p.m.
Old Pharosians
The committee of the Old Pharosians - the school’s old boys association - meets on Thursday 16 March at 7p.m.
Bonjour
Some of our Year 7 pupils get a chance to practice their French on Tuesday 14 March when they welcome their
penfrends from College St. Pierre in Calais. Our boys will be making a return visit to Calais on April 6.
The first Thursday in April is the next to last day of term, so the next “First Thursday” Newsletter will be distributed in
May.
SPORTS NEWS
Details of all forthcoming sports fixtures are included in the school calendar for this term, and spectators are always
welcome.
This includes the Powell Cup inter-House cross country championships at 2.10 p.m. on Friday 24 March, the Senior
Inter-House football championships at 1.45 p.m. on Wednesday 29 March, and the Staff v Prefects football
match at 1030a.m. on Friday? April.
Football
In the District Cup, Year 7 beat Walmer (away) 3-0, and Year 9 beat Walmer at home
2-1. Our Under 19 team beat Castle High at home 9-2.
Just a few weeks after their very convincing 102-0 win over Thanet College, our 1st
XV gave another excellent performance on 15 February, beating Oakwood Park Grammar School, at home, 77-0.
The 1st XV reserves play Bethany Senior XV away next Wednesday, 8 March, and Oakwood Park at home on Wednesday 15 March, at 2.30
p.m.
Table Tennis
The Dover Table Tennis Association annual championships take place at Dover Leisure Centre on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 March, starting at 9.30 a.m. on both days. The closing date for entries is 20 March, and the entry fee is £5.50 per person. It is hoped that some of our boys who play in Division C of the local league will be taking part, and we wish them well.
Track suits
Have you ordered your “Dover Grammar” track suit yet?
The navy blue cotton drill suits come in various sizes.
The jacket has a burgundy insert at the neck, “Dover Grammar” printed in gold on the back,
and the school badge and motto embroidered on the front.
The cost is £27, and order forms were sent to all parents. If you want to order a track suit, but have lost your order
form, please contact the school.
