Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERMUSIC
The Autumn term proved to be a busy time for the school's musicians.
Three musical events took place in December. On Thursday 11th December musicians from the school were the guest performers at Dover Music Centre's Christmas Concert held in Dover Town Hall. Members of the choir provided a taste of music that was to come within our own Carol Service the following week with Mr Richard Davies (Director of Music) performing seasonal music on the Town Hall organ. On the following Tuesday, 16th December, the DGSB Jazzmen and Big Band gave a Jazz Concert at a private function for the British Diabetic Association.
The main event at the end of term was, of course, the annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight on Wednesday 17th December at 8.00 pm in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Charlton, Dover.
A wide selection of carols sung by the School Choir together with familiar Christmas hymns for the congregation were interspersed between the traditional nine Bible readings telling the story of Christmas. The music ranged in style from medieval plainsong to twentieth century with the School Brass Ensemble providing striking accompaniments for the congregation carols.
The Carol Service is one of the highlights of the school year and we welcomed a large number of pupils, parents, friends and family.
After the service coffee and mince pies were served in the Church Hall and we would like to thank the many parents who were kind enough to send in mince pies in the week of the Carol Service.
Mr R S Davies - Director of Music
ART NEWS
On 17th December members of Years 11, 12 and 13 art groups braved the bitterly cold weather and ventured to London's famous National Portrait Gallery and Hayward Gallery for an enjoyable insight to modern and classic art.
Our first studies were made in the National Portrait Gallery's modern section containing unusual pieces by countless artists. However, as we made our way through the exhibits we were confronted by more traditional art from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries by such artists as Lely, Lawrence and Reynolds.
For lunch we narrowly missed the midday rush as we stopped for a burger and fries in MacDonalds on the Strand.
The terrible winter weather did not stop us crossing the Hungerford Bridge to get to the Hayward. We all feasted our eyes on the amazing pieces in the 'Objects of Desire' Exhibition, a special show of 20th century still life paintings, sculptures and installations, direct from its New York showing. Artists included Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne and many more.
The bus was filled with talk about the visit on the trip back and we thanked the Art Department staff for organising such a successful trip.
Chris Husk. Form 12CA
OXBRIDGE ENTRANCE SUCCESSES 1998
Over the last few weeks of term a number of Year 13 students have been attending interviews and tests at several oxford and Cambridge Colleges as part of the very demanding entrance procedures for these two Universities. It is therefore very pleasing to announce that three have been offered places for next October, conditional on their performance at 'A' level this summer. They are:-
* Tim Courtney, to read Chemistry at Exeter;
* David Mannall, to read Geography at St Hughs;
* Tom Marsh, to read Mechanical Engineering at St Edmunds.
Mr Falconer - Senior Teacher
PFA
A reminder of the Barn Dance/American Supper to be held on Saturday 31st January. You will be receiving a booking form with more details very soon.
The next committee meeting will be held on 15th January.
200 Club
The 200 Club winners of the December draw were:
1st (£25) Mrs J Adams (120), 2nd (£15) Mr J Petts (140) and 3rd (£10) Mrs M Betts (165).
The special £100 prize-winner was:
Mrs N Gleeson (137)
Christmas Draw
The Draw was held on Thursday 18th December and the winners were as follows:
1st Prize Mr Robin Wood
2nd Prize L. Bannister
3rd Prize Mrs J Player
The form that sold the most tickets was Form 7G, raising £135.40, with Form 8F in second place and Form 7W third.
£1,405.80 in total was raised. Thank you to all those who helped raise this splendid sum.
WORKSHOPS
The workshops will be open every Wednesday and Thursday from 3.25 pm to 4.45 pm for Engineering Club.
WANTED: The workshops are still in need of empty washing up liquid bottles etc. in which to hold and dispense the wood glue.
SPORTS NEWS
Football
Under 15 Match Report - 3rd Round of County Cup -v- Hereson School, Ramsgate (Away)
Result: 2 - 2 (won 4 - 2 on penalties)
Although the team did not play well in the first half they gradually got on top of Hereson School and deserved their success, even if it was on penalties.
We scored first when Ben Mackenzie converted a Ross Gaffney cross at the second attempt, but instead of dominating the game we allowed Hereson to firstly equalise, after we failed to clear out of defence, and then take the lead after their tall attackers forced home a corner.
In the second half we played with much greater urgency and created numerous chances especially through the prompting of Kevin Doughty, only converting one, again through Ben Mackenzie. Chris Wash was hardly extended and when the game went into extra time both sides failed to score. As the match went to penalties, for the second County Cup match running, it was clearly a competition between the two goalies which Chris Wash won easily, saving twice. Penalty scorers were Sam Gibbons, Ben Mackenzie, Peter Allum and Neil Brinicombe.
1st XI - Harvey G.S. 5 Dover G.S. 0
League winners Harvey certainly showed us how to play to their team's strengths. I suppose as a Spurs supporter I should get used to my team dominating a match and then getting hammered but I found this match remarkable.
In the first half we played our best approach play of the season but our final ball, and a distinct lack of good luck, meant that we failed to convert any of our chances. Harvey, on the other hand, played a classic counter-attacking game with their two best players up front proving clinical in their finishing.
All season we've found it hard to play against pace and this match was no exception. I felt sorry for Tom Scrivener, who had a fine game, as these strikers combined to score two in the first half and three in the second.
It was unfortunate but I was pleased with our performance. James Durrant went off injured at half-time (just for a change!) but there were several fine performances. Harvey said afterwards that we were one of the best teams to play them this season.
1st XI Report 1997
We started the season full of optimism with the nucleus of the team that finished runners-up in the League last year. On the trial day over 40 boys turned up keen and eager to play for the 1st and 2nd XI but it became apparent that a combination of having few boys of quality in Years 11 and 12, and our relatively small Sixth Form, meant that the 1st XI squad was limited. As it turned out this became crucial as a string of serious injuries depleted the squad to the point in early October when we had to postpone matches or play without recognised strikers or goalkeeper.
Consequently, there was very little continuity in the team, in fact only Gary Beeden and Paul Johnson played in every match. We were particularly vulnerable up front where there was little back-up for Lee Neiles, Ian Banks and Jon Spence, and for over a month all three were injured. Despite these problems the team played with style and composure, particularly in midfield, causing all opposition sides problems. Our Achilles Heel though was our lack of pace at the back where a fast forward caused us all kinds of problems - this was especially true at Rainham Mark and Harvey.
In goal Ian Matthews played with his customary strength and had a good season overall, despite his own goal against Archers Court! The back four played steadily but without complete understanding. John Castle, Marc Garrood and James Durrant played well, usually, ably supported by Kevin Herbert, Chris Bailey and Russell Cramphorn. The midfield centred around Gary Beeden and Paul Johnson with Stuart Dodd, Ian Banks and Tom Causer giving support.
Best result of the season was against Simon Langton with a 3 - 1 win but it was generally a frustrating season. Even in our final match against League Champions Harvey Grammar we dominated the game, had no good fortune at all in front of goal and lost to fast counter-attacks against the run of play. Most of the squad will still be in school next year, and hopefully these weaknesses will be ironed out.
John Castle captained the team well, encouraging and prompting from central defence and midfield, ably supported by Gary Beeden in John's absence. John was selected for the Kent Schools 'A' side with James Durrant and Jon Spence selected for the 'B' side. The season has not quite finished with the Dover Schools Cup Final to be played early next term. Marc Garrood was 'Player of the Season' for accumulating the most SB Ratings points.
Playing Record:- Played 13; Won 6; Drew 1; Lost 6; Goals for 34; Goals against 41.
Colours Re-awarded to:- Gary Beeden; John Castle; Paul Johnson; Lee Neiles; Jon Spence; Ian Matthews.
Colours Awarded to:- Ian Banks; James Durrant; Marc Garrood.
Rep. Ties to:- Chris Bailey; Tom Causer; Russell Cramphorn; Stuart Dodd; Kevin Herbert; Bradley Powlter.
All reports by Mr S Bailey.
Table Tennis
After school practice for all pupils of the school will now take place on Mondays only. As from next Monday anyone taking part will compete in a ladder league, details on Monday. The tables will be set up at 3.25 pm and games will commence as soon as possible. The tables need not be put away afterwards as the league matches will take place from 7.30 pm the same evening.
Our six teams have recently been playing in The Ron Edwards Handicap Trophy. Latest scores are as follows:
1st Round
Grammar B 8 Borstal B 1
Grammar F 3 Whitfield A 6
Borstal A 7 Grammar D 2
2nd Round
Grammar E 4 Whitfield A 5
Grammar A 5 Fire Brigade 4
Grammar C 4 DWMC Royals A 5
Whitfield C -v- Grammar B to be played 8.1.98
Dover Sports & Leisure Centre is still running in association with The Dover
Table Tennis Association Saturday morning practice and coaching. This commences
at 9.30 am and finishes at midday. The only cost involved is the entrance fee.
We are hoping to start a junior league (if numbers allow) this year. All people interested please see Paul Skelton in the workshops.
