Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERNEW STAFF
We welcome two new members of staff this week. Mr Gary R Phillpott graduated from Reading University and is an experienced Head of Economics and Business Studies who is between overseas contracts. He has recently been Head of Economics in the New English School, Amman, Jordan.
Mr Malcolm F Birt will be teaching History to Year 7. He has an Open University degree and has recently retired as Head of Humanities at Castle Community School.
These appointments follow the departure of Dr Joseph Donnelly.
GOVERNORS
With respect to the Annual Parents' Meeting held on 15th October 1997 we thank the following:
all those parents who came along to hear a review of the Governors' Annual Report to Parents which detailed various aspects of the school's operations and achievements during the past academic year;
the PFA for providing refreshments for the evening; and
all the students who clearly enjoyed themselves in providing a first class concert of instrumental music to close the Annual Meeting.
Please pencil the provisional date of Wednesday 14th October in now for next year's Annual Meeting and Concert!!
At the beginning of October I was privileged to be invited to present National records of Achievement (NRA) to Year 12 students. The NRA is designed to be used at school by the student to give a picture of what they have achieved both in and out of school, in further education and throughout adult life. The NRA is a personal vehicle for students to review their own learning. The NRA is therefore a valuable tool giving a much fuller picture than a traditional CV as it reflects far more than just examination results. In summary the NRA enables students to ask two challenging questions of themselves:
Have I taken responsibility for my actions and my future?
How will I convince an employer or place of further education that I have the necessary skills and ambition to join them?
The next meeting of the Governing Body will take place on Monday 24th November 1997 at 7.00 pm.
Mr Robin Terry - Chairman
JUNIOR PRIZEGIVING
Junior Prizegiving took place on Wednesday 22nd October. The Guests of Honour were Cllr. William Newman, Chairman of Dover District Council and Mrs Jean Newman. Cllr. Newman is an old boy of the school as are his three sons.
After the presentations there were readings of poetry, prose and reports written and read by boys of the Lower School with several musical performances.
NEW COMPUTER ROOM
The new room has now been reinstated after completion of the building work and is in full use. Improvements have been made to the network and 30 workstations (PCs) will be available for classes.
ART NEWS
Our four winners in the Age to Age Clubs Logo and Leaflet Contest were Andy Herbert, Daniel Gill, Matthew Wash and Michael Goodbun. We have been asked to put together a final design using, if possible, elements from all winners' designs. Congratulations to our entrants who were all placed 1st.
The Crabble Corn Mill Art & Design Show Preview took place on Friday 24th October 1997. Opened by the Mayor of Dover, Cllr. Paul Sheldrake, and attended by our M.P., Gwyn Prosser, it proved very enjoyable to the many pupils and parents who attended on the night. Severe difficulties posed by roadworks in the area did not deter many people from making the effort to show up. Thanks go to the staff at Crabble Corn Mill for the catering and to Paul Skelton who printed the preview invitations and show publicity handouts.
Mr S Almond - Head of Art & Design
HELP REQUIRED! The Break Time Scheme
If you are booking your summer holiday for next year between now and the end of March 1998 you can help the school purchase sports equipment, musical instruments or audio visual equipment. The scheme works in conjunction with Going Places, the travel agents in Dover and Deal. Anyone who books a holiday or flight through them can validate a Break Time Bond for £10 or £20 and the value of these will be used to purchase the equipment. The only thing necessary is to collect the Bond from the School Office in advance and take it with you when you book your holiday or flight. Obviously the more validated Bonds we receive the better, so please tell your friends and relatives. This is a national scheme and we could benefit from it.
SCHOOL TRIPS
YEAR 12 HISTORY VISIT TO COMPIEGNE
The current Year 13 history group know all about the department's ability for picking the wettest and windiest days for the trip to Compiègne. It was only 12 months ago that a group of sixth formers from this school were stuck in the ferry port at Calais overnight as torrential storms disrupted the cross channel ferry services. It is therefore no surprise that heavy rain pelted against the windows of the school mini-bus as we left Calais. However, no amount of bad weather could upset the unflappable Dr Jackson who drove with great ability throughout the trip whilst his sidekick Mr Falconer amused himself with his own jokes, much to the general annoyance of us all.
It was a relief therefore when after two and a half hours in the minibus we reached the lovely and historic town of Compiègne which contained the Château of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the man who seized power and proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon III in 1852. We had lunch outside the chateau gates in less than pleasant weather conditions and for a while it looked like the curse of the Compiègne trip had not passed. However, clearer skies beckoned during our delightful walk around the château gardens which bordered onto the famous forest which was, and still is, a renowned area for game hunting. We admired the architectural symmetry of the building and the beauty of the very English gardens as the sun came out, before entering for our tour.
Unfortunately, our guide had little experience at touring English speaking parties but she did an admirable job and together with Dr Jackson and Mr Falconer (who demonstrated a surprisingly good linguistical ability) we got by. The rooms we toured were designed especially by the Bonapartes for entertaining and as a result were plush and luxurious. We found that the tour gave us a feeling for the period and helped us realise the need for etiquette during that era in politics. However, after an hour or so legs began to ache for certain members of the group and the general criticism of most was that the chateau contained too many comfy-looking chairs that we were teasingly not allowed to sit on.
So it was with a great need for rest that we left for the nearby Pierrefonds which also boasted an impressive chateau. Rebuilt from medieval ruins by French architect, Viollet Le Duc, we saw a beautiful recreation of a medieval fortress to the taste of the mid-19th century. Tragically, the building was never lived in and therefore is made all the more nostalgic. We wandered around the museum before paying a quick visit to the nearby bakery for vital provisions for the trip back to Calais.
We had timed the start of the return leg perfectly with the rush hour and spent forty minutes trying to leave Compiègne, during which some of the group conversed fluently with the friendly locals which it seems unfortunately was taken the wrong way by the teachers who believed us to be provoking the townsfolk, which was of course not the case. However, they had reason to be agitated as the delays had led to us needing to travel 148 kms in just over an hour. No-one knows how, but Dr Jackson did it, perhaps he was spurred on by the fact that the sun was still shining. However, it was far more likely to be the fact that Mr Falconer had at last gone to sleep - could it have been the vast amounts of shandy he consumed at lunchtime (only joking!).
Still at least we had peace at last and could now pass a TGV with the aforementioned teacher announcing it excitedly. The trip back on the ferry was nothing short of dull and certain members of the sixth form can probably tell some good stories about it (although now is neither the time nor the place)!
On a final note, we would all like to thank Mr Falconer and Dr Jackson for giving their time to a great trip that will have benefited us all greatly, although we are sure they enjoyed it just as much as us!
Nick O'Brien - 12CH
LOWER SIXTH GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP - RIVER STOUR DAY, Friday 17th October.
As part of the Managing Landform Systems module I decided to take the Lower Sixth Geographers along the route of the River Stour to look at management issues. It involved expert guidance of the river and its problems from the source of the East Stour at Postling, past Swanton Mill at Mersham and on to Wye. After a short lunch break in Canterbury we visited the Environment Agency Offices at Sturry Road, Canterbury where the Duty Officer, Mick Williams, explained all about his job and pollution issues on the River Stour. Unfortunately, his office is in the Canterbury Sewage Works complex and the smell was overpowering. I asked the boys what they remembered most about the talk and, true to form, they recalled Mick's quip that "you should never eat a seagull" more than anything else! We finally visited the National Nature Reserve at Stodmarsh and the boys were a pleasure to take out. Honestly!
Mr S Bailey - Geography Department
GCSE TRIP TO AACHEN
At 8 o'clock two teachers and 15 students from Dover Grammar and Dover College met at Dover Priory Station to embark on their trip to Aachen on the German boarder. As we all lugged our baggage onto the train, various chatter passed between us.
On arriving at Ashford International Station, we had our bags thoroughly searched, and much to the amusement of the rest of our group several members had to be bodysearched.
Once on the train we chatted nervously amongst ourselves, and after sampling the overpriced Belgium waffles, we settled down to our packed lunches.
After a short delay due to the novel excuse of 'horses on the track' (and we thought 'leaves on the track' was inventive!) the Eurostar arrived.
After a less luxurious journey on a Belgium train, having turfed several disgruntled Europeans from our reserved seats, we reached Aachen Barnhof.
Hasty greetings over and done with we were escorted to our various domiciles around Aachen.
The next morning we congregated in the school hall to discuss our various experiences (which included football, scouts, bowling and computer games) we were led to lessons. My personal experiences number as follows: escorted into a class of 10 year olds I was asked to introduce myself and then explain the English school system. I then rushed to German (which was painful) and then Maths (double ouch), and finally Art.
German school is quite relaxed compared to our system - no uniform, teachers in jeans, mixed sex classes (there are very few single sex schools in Germany) four and a half hours of school a day and a seeming dearth of homework. Getting up at 6 o'clock was a shock as was the 8 o'clock start to the school day, but as the bell struck ten past one and the afternoon stretched out in front of us we could certainly see the benefits of the German school system!
Every day we went on an excursion. Tuesday saw us touring around the town whilst on Wednesday we visited a newspaper museum and after a competition to see who had written the best comment in the visitors' book Dr Hill ushered us out. In the evening we went to a swimming pool.
We visited a traditional Aachen market on Thursday morning and the not so traditional department stores finishing the day venturing onto the ice in Aachen Eishalle. Having personally fallen over more times than I can remember I crawled off the ice.
Unfortunately, due to 'schlechteswetter' on Friday our two walking excursions were cancelled.
Saying our farewells on Saturday morning at Aachen Barnhof, we boarded the train and the continent of Europe sped by us.
Swapping addresses and telephone numbers on the train we arrived at Dover Priory only half an hour late (this time to the more commonplace complaint of electrical failure), and tumbling onto the platform met the full force of English weather.
All our thanks to Dr Hill and Mrs Chapman of Dover College for a laudable exchange.
Alex Langridge - 11CA
PFA
The PFA would like to thank everyone who supported the Wine & Wisdom Evening held last month. The hall was full and it was a very enjoyable evening. We are holding another Wine & Wisdom Evening on Friday 28th November and we hope you can come and join us. The evening starts at 7.30 pm and the cost is £3.00 per person.
Christmas is coming and you will be receiving some raffle tickets later this month which we hope you could sell for us. The Christmas draw is one of our major fund raising activities and it gives you a chance of winning one of a number of prizes and supporting the school.
A copy of the school's music may help to solve a Christmas present or two. The cassettes are available through the school and cost £5.00 each.
200 Club
The 200 Club winners of the October draw were:
1st (£25) Mrs A Stewart (114), 2nd (£15) Mr G Howland (116) and 3rd (£10) Mr L Tutthill (101)
CCF
The Contingent continues to progress from strength to strength. Recruiting, particularly for the Army Section, has recently been very good indeed. We are attracting a fair number from the Girls' Grammar School in addition to boys from this school and Astor.
During the half term period we held a most successful NCO Cadre at Napier Barracks. Such essential training allows Cadets seeking future senior rank to develop their potential. We have some very promising Cadets, both male and female, which bodes well for our future.
On the Thursday of half term many of us enjoyed an entertaining and informative day out at the Royal Engineers' Museum near Chatham Dockyard.
Target shooting occurs on a regular basis. We experienced an excellent day (weather wise too) on Hythe Ranges and in November we have another shooting day arranged, along with an abseiling event at Shorncliffe.
The Cadets will also be on parade on Remembrance Sunday at the town service where we will, additionally, be laying a wreath.
Mr David Horsley - CCF
UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES
The following former students have recently graduated:
James E Freebury - awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Geography from the University of St Martin in Lancaster.
Alistair M Lennie - awarded a BA (Hons) degree in English also from the University of St Martin in Lancaster.
Timothy Lawton has recently successfully completed the BTEC National Diploma Course at the Kent Institute of Art & Design and has gained a place on a Degree Course at Nottingham Trent University studying for a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.
SPORTS NEWS
Fixtures
1st XI:- Wed. 12th Nov. Simon Langton G.S (H); Wed. 19th Nov. County Match -v- Surrey; Wed. 26th Nov. Astor. (H); Sat. 29th Nov. Harvey G.S. (A) k.o. 10.00 am. Wed. 3rd Dec. Borden G.S. (A)
2nd XI:- Wed. 12th Nov. Simon Langton G.S. (A); Wed. 19th Nov. Norton Knatchbull G.S. (H); Sat. 29th Nov. Harvey G.S. (H) k.o. 10.00 am; Wed. 3rd Dec. Borden G.S. (H).
Football
Year 7 won their second round of the County Cup against Astor in a spirited encounter 2 - 0.
Year 9 played away at Chaucer Technology School, Canterbury in the second round of their County Cup. Two early goals scored by Chaucer in the earlier part of the game did not help our cause. After a tighter team performance in the second half we were 4 - 4 at full time. After some spirited defence we lost 6- 4 after 20 minutes of extra time.
Against teams from St. Edmund's, Dover scores were as follows:
Year 7 did not play as St Edmund's had to cancel due to team illness problems.
Year 8 won in the local league 4 - 3.
Year 9 also won 4 - 0.
Year 10 won 6 - 1
Year 11 drew 2 - 2
In the local District Cup Competition Year 10 were drawn against Sir Roger Manwood's at home and won 2 - 1.
On Friday 10th October, after school, Year 8 lost in their Cup game against Simon Langton G.S. 6 - 0.
On Saturday 11th October the following games were played against Norton Knatchbull.
Year 7 won 2 - 1
Year 8 lost 2 - 1
Year 9 lost in a close game 5 - 4
Year 10 lost 2 - 1
This week, the first back after half term, inter school league matches are all against Archers Court School.
Tues. 4th Nov. Years 7 & 9 (H) and on Thurs. 6th Nov. Years 8 & 11 (H) and Year 10 (A).
1st XI Match Reports
Wednesday 1st October 1997: 2nd Round of White Cup
Dover G.S. 3 Maidstone G S 5
No cup run this year and yet again we didn't play to the top of our form. On the very hard ground we don't seem to be able to adapt our play to the conditions, and to make matters worse we conceded two early sloppy goals. Maidstone played quite well but on a better day I feel that we could have beaten them (perhaps in the League Match).
Maidstone opened the scoring in the first minute when Ian Matthews was caught in possession and within five minutes we gave another sloppy goal after several tackles were missed. Gradually we found some shape and Lee Neiles pulled one back only for our concentration to slip again, especially with a very square defence allowing MGS to pull further ahead.
After a scramble we pulled one back through Stuart Dodd and not long after half time we restored the lead to one goal again through Paul Johnson. There followed prolonged pressure from us with two good chances saved only for MGS to break away again and seal the win in the last few minutes.
Possibly if Lee Neiles and Ian Banks hadn't gone off injured it would have been a different outcome.
Wednesday 8th October 1997
Oakwood Park 3 Dover G. S. 1
In terrible conditions this was a surprisingly good game and the scoreline was flattering to the home side. Considering we were missing seven regular players I was very pleased with the attitude and the performance. With one of our normal strikers playing I feel that we might have got a positive result.
Oakwood took the lead through a piece of poor defending at a free kick where we defended too far from our goal leaving Tom Scrivener too exposed. They went further ahead through a lucky goal when the ball ricocheted through several players' legs and ended up in the corner of the goal. Gary Beeden got one back after a crisp move down the right only for Oakwood to restore their advantage through a goal mainly caused by the conditions when the strong wind blew a rebound into the net.
In the second half the conditions worsened and both teams found it hard to play creative football. We probably should have played more directly with the wind but without fast strikers it was difficult. Tom looked solid in goal, Kevin Herbert made an impressive debut and all of the other newcomers did well.
Mr S Bailey
Basketball
In the recent friendly basketball match at home -v- Brockhill, the school Year 9 team won 34 - 16. More matches are planned.
On Friday 17th October at 4.00 pm the new basketball outdoor court at Elms Vale was officially opened. The inaugural match was played between our Year 11 team and St Edmund's, Dover, with the school winning 11 - 10.
Rugby
Kent Under 14 Development Squad
Russell Johnson (9D) has been selected to play for the above. He will be taking part in three fixtures against other counties during November, December and February.
Kent Under 15 Development Squad
Both Adam Stennet (10P) and Michael Turner (10P) have been selected to play for the above.
This is an indication of the three above named pupils' dedication and hard work, allied with their natural abilities.
Table Tennis
There will be coaching sessions held on Saturday mornings - 9.30 am - 12 noon - at Dover Sports Centre. The cost will be £1.70 per session and all are welcome.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Old Pharosians Meeting - Thursday 20th November at 7.00 pm.
Guest Evening - Friday 21st November at 7.30 pm.
