THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER OCT 1996 No. 31

LILLE VISIT - 26 September 1996

1996 is the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF) Centenary Year and it is also the ‘Year of Engineering Success’.

The ELF includes the cream of the United Kingdom’s manufacturing and associated organisations - British Aerospace: Rolls Royce; Ford: Nuclear Electric: Rank Xerox; Virgin: Vickers; The Royal Air Force, Army and Navy, to name but a few.

There is a belief that many able students are not actively made aware of the exciting opportunities that exist in the hi-tech engineering of today. So. to mark the Centenary and to strengthen links between schools and the engineering industry, a major project was launched by the FEE.

The project’s objective was to show young people aged 1 3- 14 years and their teachers, selected from schools throughout the UK. the attractions of the engineering industry and to widen horizons for career choices.

The LEE chartered a Eurostar train to transport over 600 school children and some 60 teachers through the Channel Tunnel to Lille in France where they would take guided tours of a range of manufacturing companies learning about production methods and career opportunities.

Ten of our Year 9 boys. chosen as much for their perceived affinity for Technology as their classroom performances, accompanied by Mr Gardiner who is a Chartered Civil Engineer, made the trip.

Our day began early with a leisurely train ride from Dover Priory to Waterloo to meet up with the main party.

64 schools were represented from all over the United Kingdom and it seemed that boys and girls were in equal numbers. Our coach on the train was No. I at the rear of the train on the way to France. and at the station end as we went on to the platform. The organisers, anticipating a number of exhibitors along the platform. guided us the quarter-mile length of the train before we could enter. On our return quarter-mile through the train to our carriage we had ample opportunity to admire the design of the interior, especially the first class accommodation. We were fascinated by the sequence of automatic doors and soon learned to time our progress to get through unscathed. The decor and everything about the train is the very latest in aesthetic, ergonomic and anthropometric design. Air-conditioning. lighting and inter-carriage communication is “state of the art”.

One of the boys was so intrigued by the operation of the toilets that we began to think he had a serious bladder defect. Before leaving Waterloo we were honoured by the presence of several well-known personalities and members of the cast of the show “Starlight Express” in full costume.

The TUC has an interest in promoting the engineering industry and amongst the personalities we shook hands with were Mr John Prescott, deputy leader of the Labour Party and John Monks, Chairman of the TUC.

Seemingly out of context, we also met Sergeant Bob Cryer of “The Bill” but he is also a motor cycle buff and very interested in that branch of engineering.

The journey from Waterloo to Folkestone was at a relatively sedate speed being on regular British Rail service track but this gave the organisers time to describe the incredible engineering feat that is the Channel Tunnel with all its associated marshalling areas, control, equipment etc. and a description of the brilliant Eurostar
train itself.

The journey through the Tunnel took just 20 minutes and the whole journey to Lille from Waterloo took 2 hours.

On the French side the train reached 300km/hr or over 186 mph., and the ride was so smooth that the speed was hardly believable.

During the journey, various people, including a member of the Red Arrows maintenance team and British Aerospace and Rolls Royce engineers told us of their organisations and their career paths to illustrate the types of training and opportunities that exist within the huge variety of disciplines that make up the engineering industry.

At Lille, the various schools were grouped and a fleet of luxury coaches was deployed to take the groups to various factories.

Our factory was on the outskirts of Lille and to get there we passed many others spread over a very large area. The variety was staggering. The building itself was a hi-tech steel framed construction being in the form of a large pyramid some 30 metres square at the base and 26 metres in height with manufacturing in the lower levels and accounting, ordering, design and management on the higher floors.

The factory makes flags - the wave-over-your-head variety. The company made all the flags for the 1996 Olympics and makes flags and banners of all sizes and shapes for clients from all over the world.

We saw the progress of an order from its receipt, sometimes via Internet. through the factory to its completion, everything is computer controlled although a large element of manual skill is required. The system of transport of partly made flags around the factory by overhead tracks was itself a masterpiece of engineering ingenuity and control. We were told that it would be possible to order a flag about the size of those flown on our flagpole for £20 via the Internet and have it delivered in 24 hours - we’ll have to test this some time.

The return journey was just as smooth and we were deposited at the Ashford International Station to catch a regular service train back to Dover arriving fortunately just in time to miss Emmerdale.

All in all the event was a great success and our boys certainly had an eye-opener into the engineering industry. They will he sharing their experiences with the School through some form of presentation, probably at Assembly, in the near future - there being no pleasure without a price to pay

We must thank AVO International Ltd of Dover, member of the ELF, for sponsoring our trip. With their interest in promoting awareness of possible careers in hi-tech industry AVO paid all our expenses for the day and, the week before we went, entertained us with a guided tour of their factory where we saw real hi-tech industry first hand.

In particular we must thank Mr Chris Burns, Managing Director of AVO, for his time and courtesy.

STUDENT TEACHERS

We welcome three more student teachers from Christ Church College. Canterbury this year - Miss Tracey Bartlett (Biological Sciences), Miss Georgina Gibson (Physical Sciences) and Miss Claudia Heywood (English). We hope they will enjoy their time with us which will be in two teaching practices from October to May next year.

ASSISTANTS

We also welcome this month the two new assistants to help with Modern Language teaching - Cristele Ledoux (French) and Martin Teufi (German).

GOVERNORS

Four new governors were warmly welcomed at the first meeting of the new school year which took place on Monday 30th September. They are:

Alan Bostock, Parent Governor

Milford Lingard, Parent Governor

Philip Lynes, Parent Governor

John Hogg. First Governor

This still leaves a vacancy on the Governing Body for a First Governor for which we are actively recruiting.

A waiting list is to be drawn up of potential candidates for the Governing Body so that any vacancies that do occur can be efficiently and quickly filled. If you are interested, or know of anyone that might be suitable, please feel free to discuss the requirements with any member of the Governing Body, so that their name may be placed on the waiting list.

The Governing Body elected Robin Terry. Director of London Fancy Box, as their new Chairman and re-elected Bob Joslin as Vice-Chairman. The Governing Body paid tribute to Graham Tutthill who has successfully steered the Governing Body for the past three years and helped the school to achieve Grant Maintained status.

The Annual Parents Meeting takes place on Wednesday 16 October at 7.00 pm in the Great Hall at the school. Please read your copy of the Annual Report of the Governing Body and take the OPPORTUNITY to come along an gain an understanding of how the school operates and ask questions about the aims and plans for the coming year. Refreshments will be served. PLEASE come along
as even a small gathering can generate a good quality debate and enable you to voice your thoughts.

A short concert will follow the Governors Annual Parents Meeting on Wednesday 16th October with instrumental music performed by the Jazz Group, Big Band and
soloists.

PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION

The Parents and Friends Association is pleased to welcome Milford Lingard as its new Treasurer. Milford succeeds Adrian Martin who is in the process of moving to the West Midlands. The Association is also pleased to announce a record turnout at its recent AGM - eight parents attended the meeting. It was announced at the meeting that both the Chairman and Secretary are standing down this year as their sons are in year 13 and both feel that officers of the Association should be current parents. Although we welcomed one new committee member at the AGM there is still room for more - especially anybody who might like to consider taking on either of the above offices!

On behalf of the PFA we would like to record our appreciation and grateful thanks to Graham Tutthill who has been replaced as Chairman of Governors. Graham has worked tirelessly for the School and his commitment and skill will be hard to replace. We wish his successor well.

The next Wine and Wisdom evening this term will be held on Friday 4th October with another on Friday 29th November. There are still tables available for both evenings. Please contact the PFA through the school office.

200 Club

Thanks to everyone who has renewed their membership or joined the 200 Club for the first time. The September draw has taken place and the results are:

1st prize (£25) Mrs R Wakeham, 2nd prize (£15) Mr J Bottle and 3rd prize (£10) Mrs F Bannister. The next draw will take place on 17 October.

OLD PHAROSIANS

Members of the school’s old boys association, the Old Pharosians, have their annual meeting, football match and dinner on Saturday 12th October.

The meeting takes place in the Library at 11.00 am when former Headteacher the Rev. Dr. Michael Hinton is due to take over as the association’s President. A team of Old Pharosians will play the school’s 1st XI at 2.30 pm and the dinner is at 6.45 for 7.30 pm.

The Old Pharosians’ Committee meets on Monday 11th November at 7.00 pm. Are there any former pupils of the school among the fathers of new pupils? Do you belong to the Old Pharosians’ Association? Contact the school for a membership form. If you want to attend this year’s dinner, booking forms need to be returned by this Saturday 5th October.

WELCOME TO WORK DAY

Parents of members of the Lower School are receiving with this newsletter letters about the Welcome to Work Day Scheme. This is an opportunity for members of the Lower School to have contact with the world of work prior to their 2 weeks work experience which they will get in the Summer Term of Year 10. The idea is that on one of the non-contact (lays they accompany one of their parents or a friend to work to gain insight into what goes on. This is all in the pursuance of one of the aims of the school - “To provide direct contact with the local community and a chance to appreciate the practical applications of qualifications”.

UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES

We are very pleased to hear of the following successes among former DGSB students:

Andrew Champion - a first class honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Exeter. Andrew also took advantage of a year away studying French at the University of Rennes in Britanny, as part of the EU Erasmus Scheme.

Stephen Cleverley - a first class honours degree at St Ldmund Hall. Oxford.

Andrew Johns - a lower second BA (Honours) Geography at Queen Mary and Westfield College. University of London.

Daniel McCardle - upper second class honours in Applied Physics at the University of Warwick.

Lewis Mortimer - awarded a lower second Bsc degree in Maths at the University of Leeds.

Mark Osborne - a lower second BEng (Honours) at the University of Southampton.

Benjamin Prade - upper second Bsc (Honours) in Business Lconomics and Accounting at the University of Southampton.

David Thomas - upper second class in Mathematics, Operational Research, Stats and Economics at the University of Warwick.

Philip Wakefield - upper second class Bsc in Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester.

We wish all new graduates every success in their chosen careers.

CCF

Our hi-annual inspection was carried out by Lt.Col. R H Gash. Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. on 20th September. We are pleased to report that we passed with ‘flying colours’. Congratulations are clue to all concerned. Their hard work, before and during the inspection. guaranteed our
success.

On the 24th September we were visited by the Royal Artillery Display Team. They had much of interest to tell and show us.

Our Annual Range Day on 25th September was, fortunately, blessed with fine weather. We enjoyed much useful target practice, which bodes well for future competition shooting teams.

RAF Cadets will be attending a ground training competition at RAF Halton, in October. We wish them luck.

Cadets will also be involved in an NCO Cadre Activity during half term. This provides training for future CCF Cadet Leaders.

A number of Cadets will shortly be undergoing a parachute course. We thank the school for its generosity in providing financial support, without which the costs would have been prohibitive.

IN-SERVICE TRAINING DAYS - 17th & 18th October

As you will know from the calendar the last two days before the half-term break have been taken as non-contact days for staff professional development. The main theme, on this occasion, will be primary/secondary liaison and members of staff will be spending the Thursday in the Year 6 class of a feeder primary school and reporting back to colleagues on the Friday.

SCHOOL HILL AND TURNING CIRCLE

May we once again remind all parents that in the interests of safety, the Governors have banned ALL vehicles from using the school hill between 8.15 and 8.45 am and 3.20 and 3.50 pm. Please use the nearby roads instead. We would also appreciate it if those motorists who bring boys to the school, or pick them up at the end of the day, would not stop on the yellow lines or in the turning area outside the top gates. Your co-operation would be much appreciated.

SPORTS NEWS

Football Fixtures

1st XI - October. Fri. 4th at 4.00 pm against Astor (A). Wed. 9th at 2.15 pm against Borden (A). Sat. 12th at 2.30 pm against Old Pharosians. Wed. 16th at 2.15 pm against Maidstone GS. Wed. 30th at 2.15 pm against Oakwood Park (H).

November - Wed. 6th at 2.00 1st XI Kent Football match versus Inner London

2nd XI - October. Wed. 9th at 2.15 pm against Borden (H). Wed. 16th at 2.15 pm against Maidstone GS (H). Wed. 30th at 2.15 pm against Tunbridge Wells (H).

November - Wed. 6th at 2.00 pm against Harvey GS (A).

3rd XI - Wed. 30th at 2.15 pm against Tunbridge Wells (H).

Year 7 -v- St. Edmunds at 4.00 pm (H).

Year 8 -v- St. Ldmunds at The Danes at 4.00 pm (H).

Rugby Fixtures

1st XV - October. Wed. 9th at 2.30 pm against

Manwood’s 2nd XV.

Football Results

In matches against Astor School

Year 7 drew 1-1

Year 9 won 2-1 and

Year 11 lost 7-2

Year 11 lost in their County Cup to John Fisher 6-1.

1st Round - Year 7 Cup Game -v- Castle High 8-0.

Friendly Football against Norton Knatchbull - Year 7
lost 5-2. Year 8 lost 4-9, Year 9 lost 3-2 and Year 10
lost 4-1.

Rugby Results

Year 9 won in a useful team performance against Manwood’s 43-17 at home with some excellent individual tries.

Year 8 lost to a strong Manwood’s side away 43-20.

1st XI Football Report

The school 1st XI has made a good start to their league season remaining unbeaten. In the first match the team drew 2-2 with Simon Langton with an under strength team: but afterwards the team settled down under the leadership of Jon Coates, winning 3-0 away to Chaucer, and 3-0 away to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School. Last Saturday we drew 3-3 with local rivals Harvey G.S. after a tough match. Main goal scorers so far in the season have been Jon Spence. Ian Banks and Kristian Allen. One unusual feature has been the number of penalties awarded to us - six in four matches!

Six boys are going to the Kent Schools Under 19 Trials - Jon Coates. Kristian Allen, Alan Tingey. John Castle. Ian Matthews and Jon Spence.

The team is looking resplendent(!) in its new kit generously donated by Jacetts from Deal, manufacturers of our school tracksuits.

2nd XI Football Report

The 2nd XI have had an excellent start to the season with three successive league wins, scoring a total of 19 goals.

So far they have defeated Simon Langton (9-3), Queen Elizabeth (6-1) and Harvey (4-2). Top goal scorers are currently Alan Tingey (6), Joe Gibbons (3) and Jason
Wakefield (3).

This week we travel to Charles Darwin School, Biggin Hill for a Kent Cup game and to Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar for a league game. We hope for success in both.