"The First Thursday Newsletter No. 35."

The old Drawing Office in the Design and Technology area has been transformed into the new computer room. It has been refurnished, redecorated and waterproofed as part of recent repairs.

27 Pentium PCs arrived in November and classes in Computing, Information Technology (IT) and Design & Technology moved there soon afterwards to benefit from a classroom with 27 PCs, one PC per pupil!

Software installation and maintenance has since then tended to keep one step ahead of class requirements, but not always.

PCs have been improved and in the next half term some classes will move back. This will leave room in both rooms for classes in other subjects.

The company would like to thank all those who have ordered cassettes of school music. Prices at £5.00, the tapes include a varied ensemble including the choir, jazzmen and big band. Anyone else who would like to order a 90 minute copy of this excellent music should return the order form at the end of the Newsletter with a cheque for £5.00 (payable to Pharos Enterprises).

On Monday 27th January, the Young Enterprise Area Board held its Annual Speaking Competition at the District Council Offices. There were seven entrants before a crowded Council Chamber. DGSB was represented by Antony Hook of 12CA. Unfortunately, he did not win but would like to thank Mr Davies for helping him and supporters get to Whitfield, and Dr Donnelly for assisting his research for the talk.

On Thursday 31st January 13 students and Mr Falconer went by train and tube to the Museum of London.

The trip, although not as eventful as our foray to Compeigne last October, was extremely enjoyable. The group attended a series of lectures by eminent historians about the suffragettes and electoral reform in the early twentieth century. The lecture by Professor Martin Pugh of Newcastle University was even enjoyed by those who
normally find social history of less interest than other aspects.

The group had time to look at the museum's collections before leaving, and those who also study Ancient History enjoyed the Roman Britain section.

The last meeting for this half term was held today, Thursday 6th February. Unfortunately, the Alternative Prospectus meeting scheduled for Friday 31st January had to be cancelled. This meeting will be held on Monday 10th February (venue to be advised) at 1.25 pm. Please be prompt.

The dates for this year's Lenten Appeal have been set by the Council as week commencing Monday 10th March, ending with the Powell Cup on Friday 14th. All forms should begin their fund-raising preparations.

The Council's business for today included making preliminary decisions as regards which charities shall be supported this year.

At the next meeting the Council shall enjoy hearing form representative's reports on what pupils are planning for Lenten Appeal Week.

Lunchtime Jazz Concert - On the last Friday in January at 1.30 pm the school's musicians presented a Lunchtime Jazz Concert to a large and appreciative audience in the School Hall. Two groups of pieces performed by the 16- strong DGSB Big Band contrasted with three numbers played by the 5-piece DGSB Jazz Group, the repertoire covered taking in classics ranging from "Stranger on the Shore" to "In the Mood".

Spring Concert - The next major event to be presented by the school's musicians will be the Spring Concert to be given on Wednesday 12th March at 7.30 pm in the School Hall. A wide variety of instrumental music will be played and refreshments served during the interval.

Spare Instruments - A large number of boys take advantage of the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument within our Instrumental Tuition Scheme, many making use of an instrument belonging to the school. A small number of instruments remain available for loan and are awaiting someone to learn to play them:

The Drama Department are staging a production as follows on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th March. During the first half of the evening there will be a selection of songs of the period and a newly commissioned new piece of drama. The second half will consist of a one act play performed by the junior boys entitled, 'Spud Ferret and the Case of the Stolen Diamonds'.

There are, at present, 30+ pupils signed up for the next ski trip to Switzerland, booked for February half term 1998. Places are still available, cost £489 - £529, so if any boys are interested and would like further details see Mr Boardman as soon as possible.

The next meeting of the Governing Body will take place on Tuesday 11 February at 7.00 pm.

For a small charge, or exchange, there are a number of outgrown blazers (all sizes), with or without badges, available. There are also T-shirts, reversible rugby tops and an assorted selection of outdoor jackets. If you are interested please contact Mr Milford Lingard, tel. no. 365155. If you have any unwanted items then please also contact Mr Lingard.

The next meeting of the PFA will be held on Wednesday 16th April 1997 at 7.30 pm.

1st prize (£25) Mr J Roberts (72), 2nd prize (£15) Mr J Bottle (36) and 3rd prize (£10) Mr & Mrs W Flynn (138).

Don't throw them away! Paul Skelton, Workshop Technician has asked if you can send any empty 1 litre/2 litre bottles into school. They are required for decanting glue from the large 5 litre containers it arrives in.

On Sunday 2nd February Same Cairns (8SW) completed in the South East Region Multi-discipline Gymnastics Championships for 1997, held at the Spectrum Leisure Complex, Guildford.

Sam belongs to the Deal Swifts Club and has been a member of the squad since August last year. This was the third competition that he has competed in. Three weeks ago he finished in the top six of his section - National 1 Men's Pairs - and this meant that he qualified for Sunday's competition. This type of gymnastics is known as "Sports Acrobatics" and is worked in either pairs, trios, fours or groups. The routine went very well and Sam and his partner were lucky enough to finish in third position, earning themselves a bronze medal, with a score of 7.7 out of 10.0.

Dover & District Table Tennis Association - Singles
Team	Played	Points
Fire Brigade	12	94
Walmer	12	88
Eastry	12	88
Whitfield E	12	87
Police	12	79
Borstal B	12	71
Grammar B	12	68
S K College B	12	67
Whitfield F	12	40
Grammar C	12	33
Grammar E	12	26
YMCA	12	19
Grammar D	12	10

Doubles
Fire Brigade	12	11
Police	12	10
Walmer	12	9
Eastry	12	9
Whitfield E	12	8
S K College B	12	7
Borstal B	12	7
Grammar B	12	6
Grammar C	12	4
Grammar E	12	3
Whitfield F	12	2
YMCA	12	1
Grammar D	12	0

Dover Table Tennis Association - Division A
Singles
Whitfield Club B	12	92
Phoenix Royals A	12	92
Whitfield Club C	12	70
Whitfield Club A	12	69
Trojan A	12	65
Phoenix Royals B	12	64
Sandwich	12	61
Royal Mail A	12	56
Whitfield Club D	12	56
Trojan B	12	55
Grammar A	12	37
West Langdon	12	33
Borstal A	12	30
Doubles
Whitfield Club B	12	11
Phoenix Royals A	12	11
Borstal A	12	7
Whitfield Club A	12	7
Whitfield Club C	12	6
Phoenix Royals B	12	6
Sandwich	12	6
Whitfield Club D	12	6
Trojan A	12	5
Trojan B	12	5
Royal Mail A	12	4
Grammar A	12	2
West Langdon	12	2

'A' Team Players	Played	Average
F Harding	3	66.7
R Carr	16	62.5
P Skelton	37	37.8
A Boxall	3	33.3
S Gibb	37	29.7
D Gibb	3	0
S Reid	6	0
'B' Team Players
A Boxall	66	79.31
D Tilbee (Whitfield F)	74	45.45
S Pellett	63	44.83
C Bailey	67	43.75
K Ozkurucu	52	33.33
D Howard (Whitfield F)	78	30.77
N Bannister	63	25.00
C Hadley	61	14.81
D Hogg	67	13.33
D MacMillan	46	11.54
D Borello	68	3.13
Not completed 60% games
R Cooper	33	80.00
D Judah	38	35.00
J Witty (Whitfield F)	46	23.81
P Fichera	37	11.11
I Hargrave	47	9.52
A Borrelo	24	0
G MacMillan	18	0
Mr H Toh	10	0
A Gardiner	11	0
M Burvill	6	0

The Dover Closed Tournament will be held at the Dover Leisure Centre on 22nd & 23rd March.

Please don't forget that Friday 14th February is a non contact day and the following week is half term.

I would like to order ........ copies of the school music cassette priced at £5.00 each.

I enclose £............... (cheques made payable to Pharos Enterprises).

Son's name and form: .......................................................