Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERNEW BOYS INDUCTION PROGRAMME
After being visited in their primary school the new intake for September 1997 sampled a school day with us on Tuesday 1st July. A full programme of short lessons was organised and the new boys were able to meet the other pupils who would make up their form for the next few years and become familiar with a day at our school. (Moving class every 20 minutes gave them a lot of free exercise!)
On Wednesday 9th July an introduction evening is arranged for the new parents. It is hoped therefore that everyone will feel as prepared as possible for the transfer to the "big school".
SPORTS DAY
Despite the disastrous weather of the previous week Sports Day went ahead successfully with a fine morning and only a little light rain in the afternoon. With the temperature ideal for running there were good performances in a number of events, but only in one, the Year 7 Discus, was a new school record achieved: Richard Stanley (Castle) beating the previous record held by R. Watson since 1981.
Our guest of honour was Steven Talbot, holder of no less than 14 records achieved between 1972 -1976 and still standing and therefore probably the finest athlete the school has produced. None of his records were threatened today!
Although scrutiny of the results still has to be done, the preliminary results put Castle first, Port a close second and Channel third.
MUSIC
Choral Concert - On Wednesday 25th June at 8.00 pm the school's musicians presented the annual Choral Concert in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Charlton, Dover. Despite a cold, dark and wet evening, a large and appreciative audience supported the event.
The programme sung by the school choir presented a selection of popular choral music. The concert began with Vaughan William's motet "O Clap Your Hands" in the original version for choir, organ, brass and percussion which gave an impressive start, followed by the same composer's "Five Mystical Songs" in which the baritone soloist was former pupil Peter Futcher. The school brass ensemble performed two pieces of instrumental music by the Italian renaissance composer Gabrieli, presented either side of Mozart's motet "Ave Verum". For the final work on the programme, Haydn's "Maria Theresa Mass", the school choir was joined by all four guest soloists - Peter Futcher (singing tenor), Vicky Bradford (Soprano), Catherine Simmonds (Alto) and Neil Richards (Bass). The organist was David Harding and the concert was conducted by the school's Director of Music Richard Davies.
A retiring collection at the end raised money for Cancer Research and the concert was given with financial support from the school's Parents' and Friends' Association.
Summer Concert - The next musical event to be presented by the school's
musicians will be the concert of Music for a Summer Evening. This will take
place in the School Hall on Wednesday 16th July at 7.30 pm and the programme
will include a wide range of instrumental music. Performances by the Big Band,
Jazz Group, Brass Ensemble and Dover Music Centre Early Music Consort will be
interspersed with a variety of solo items and during
the interval a choice of wine and cheese or light refreshments will be served,
included in the adult admission charge of £2.50.
Please make this concert known amongst family, friends and others who may be interested. You are warmly invited to attend and we hope you will be able to join us.
THEATRE VISIT
10 boys from Years 10, 11 and 12 went to the Old Vic Theatre in London last Thursday to see a very fine performance of the modern classic 'Waiting for Godot', directed by Sir Peter Hall. the performance certainly (for some at least) illuminated their reading of this somewhat obscure play in which, as one critic famously commented 'Nothing happens twice'. As ever, Mr Godot failed to turn up.
Mr M Thomas, English Department
PFA
We now have in stock the PE T-shirts in medium (£5.00) and large (£6.00). These are available through the school office.
Two Wine & Wisdom Evenings have been arranged for the 3rd October and the 28th November when we would like to see as many parents and friends as possible.
The next PFA meeting will be held on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30 pm and the AGM will be on Tuesday 23rd September at 7.30 pm.
Members of the PFA would like to wish you all a very good summer holiday.
Mrs S Wright, Secretary
200 Club
Results of the 200 Club for June are:
£25 Mr D Stockdale (16), £15 Mr I Falconer (83) and £10 Mr D Hambling (128).
TESCO COMPUTER VOUCHERS
4,000 vouchers have been collected so far and any stray ones that you might find would be gratefully received.
CCF
July promises to be a busy month. Apart from our usual activities, an Orienteering Exercise is being held on the 4th & 5th. A Range Day is programmed for Saturday 12th and the Cadets will be parading at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne. Cadets of the Army Section will be attending their annual camp at Leek in Staffordshire, while the RAF Section will be going to Benson in Oxfordshire.
During the summer holidays there will be a Range Day at Hythe and also a 5 day training exercise based on the school premises.
SPORT
Cricket - Eggbuckland Community College, Plymouth visited the school on Saturday 21st June and played teams from Years 7, 8 & 9. The games were 40 overs and all the school's teams won their matches. A very enjoyable day was had by all despite a very windy, rainy unpleasant start to the day.
Mr M Grant, PE Department
Athletics - Michael Roberts (Year 10) took part in the Kent Schools County Athletics Championships, Saturday 14th June, on the Isle of Grain. He competed for South East Kent in the Inter-Boys 3,000 metre race (Years 10 & 11). He ran extremely well finishing 2nd (out of 11) in a time of 9 min 33.3 secs.
Golf - The school played host to the Kent Schools' Golf Championships at Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club on Thursday 26th June. The weather was surprisingly good, considering it was during the first week of Wimbledon, and the event went well. Winners were Oakwood Park G.S. from Maidstone and our team finished down the field despite playing on their home course. Unfortunately, Alex Ridings and Mark Eade had hardly played this year owing to exam priorities and Dean Oliver had an unlucky day.
Mr S Bailey
Tennis - The school tennis team were narrowly defeated by St Edmund's, Dover by 4 matches to 2. The decisive factor being the greater match experience of St Edmund's team and the access they have to on site facilities.
Mr N Boardman
Table Tennis - The date for registering players in the Dover Table Tennis League is 12th July. Any boys, members of staff, parents or governors who wish to help out/play in the 1997/8 season please register with Paul Skelton before that date. The registration meeting will be at 7.30 pm in The Angling Club, Priory Road, Dover. All are welcome and it is hoped a representative from each team will be there. Dover Grammar is hoping to enter 6 teams in the league this year, so to make a good case it would be good to see a high turnout of players at the above meeting.
Lighting has been a major problem during the last year, especially in the gym with light coloured walls behind the playing areas. I would like to take this opportunity to ask parents if they have a dark material i.e. old curtains, that could be utilised as a backdrop. Any assistance will be gratefully received.
Last weekend the Folkestone table Tennis Association held a Junior Open Tournament. A number of our boys entered and I am very pleased with their achievements. James Eaton got through to the 2nd round of the Under 14's Doubles and the 3rd round of the Singles Open with David Watt going through to the 3rd round of the Under 14's Doubles and the 2nd round of the Under 14's Singles. Michael Green entered the Under 14's and Under 17's but unfortunately was knocked out.
Our best achievement came from a boy who currently attends River Primary school, but who plays in one of our Grammar teams, Darrell Borello, who is through to the finals of the Under 11's Singles.
Mr P Skelton, Workshop Technician
Rugby - After such a successful season this year the present Year 7 fixture list has been increased for next term. This includes 3 tournaments in September alone. (Training has already started!).
To continue this development next year we are looking for a sponsor for a set of drill tops and bottoms. This should improve team spirit and generate interest among the new intake in September. If any parent/company is interested please contact the school.
Mr J Duke, PE Department
Fixtures
Athletics - Friday 4th at 2.00 pm South East Kent at Astor - Year 7.
Cricket - Fri. 4th at 11.45 am Form Cricket 7F -v- 7W. Mon. 7th at 1.30 pm House Cricket 9P -v- 9CA. Mon. 14th at 1.30 pm House Cricket 9CH -v- 9P.
Old Boys' Cricket Match
Wednesday 9th July at 2.30 pm. All spectators welcome.
Inter-House Swimming Sports
Tuesday 15th 9.00 - 10.30 am at Dover Leisure Centre.
TERM DATES
End of term - Friday 25th July
Non-Contact Day - Monday 8th September 1997
Autumn Term commences - Tuesday 9th September
