THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
MAY 2001 No. 81

LENTEN APPEAL UPDATE

A splendid result in this year's Lenten Appeal has led to £2,299.87 being raised for the charities chosen by the School Council - a video recorder with subtitling for Esther Haines, the Imperial Cancer Relief Fund and UNICEF. The latter two charities will be contacted shortly and their representatives invited to come in to a school assembly to receive a cheque before the end of term.

Mr Giles Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

UK INTERMEDIATE MATHS CHALLENGE

Last term a number of Year 9 and Year 10 pupils took the Maths Challenge, along with 137,000 pupils nationally.
The following pupils did exceptionally well and gained certificates:
Year 9 Gold: Richard Hayward
Silver: Steven King
Bronze: Kenneth Birmingham, Glenn Burdett,
Terry Butcher, Michael Chivington,
Nicholas Hood, Adam Kew,
Chris Leach, Oliver Mayes and
Gregory Miell
Year 10 Gold: Joshua Collins, Robbie Guy,
Richard Horsler, Kitson Keen,
Paul Skeggs and Thomas R Smith
Silver: Martin Bannister, Kush Bopari,
Darren Jarvis and Matthew Odell
Bronze: Edward Addley, Thomas Bird,
Ben Bulow, Jonathan Fullerton,
Sam Horne, Christopher Lucas,
Adam Owen-Stirna, Thomas A Smith,
Richard Trenowden and Lee Westgarth
Robbie Guy and Joshua Collins did particularly well and got through to the next stage of the competition which they are taking this week.
Congratulations and well done to all those who took part.

Mr D Murray - Subject Leader for Maths

ART TRIP TO ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS AND TATE BRITAIN
Tuesday 3rd April 2001

Pupils from Years 10, 11 and 12, accompanied by Mr Almond and Mr Thompson visited 'The Genius of Rome' exhibition at the Royal Academy and the permanent collection of Tate Britain.
145 works, shipped in from all over the world, constituted what all critics have hailed as a majestic exhibition, 'The Genius of Rome', concentrating on painting produced in Rome from about 1590 to 1610. The star of the show, predictably, was Cararaggio, whose monumental figures, lit strongly and dramatically, have as much of an impact today as they did centuries ago.
During the afternoon we found much to admire in the permanent collection of Tate Britain. Each section is hung thematically, for example, portraiture and landscape. As the name of the gallery implies the work inside it is by British artists with just one exception, a view of London by a French artist, André Derain.
This was a particularly enjoyable trip with much exceptionally fine work seen, and will be of huge benefit to the 32 participating pupils.

ART COMPETITION PRIZE WINNER

We are delighted to announce that one of our pupils, Lloyd Stevenson of 7Port has won a Runners Up Prize in a major Art competition run by the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men. This organisation exists to promote Kent, its landmarks, crafts, people and traditions.
The competition's theme was 'Kent As I See It' and was open to all 11-14 year olds in Kent. The organisers had to cope with over 800 entries from all over the County. 
Many congratulations to Lloyd, and thanks to all our entrants.

Mr S M Almond - Subject Leader for Art & Design

SIXTH FORM ADVANCED LEVEL LAW

There will be a talk on Police Powers by PC Guy Thompson on 15th May 2001. This will be held in Room S1 and will start at 2.00 pm. Sixth Formers are welcome to attend.
There will be another talk held in July should any pupil not be able to attend.
A visit to the High Court and Inns of Court is expected in June 2001.
Mr V Crofts - Teacher of Law

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEADER?

The School has teamed up with BBC Newsround and will be taking part in the "Youth Vote" election. This nationwide project aims to give young people a practical understanding of the democratic process.
Any student from Year 7 upwards who wishes to stand for election or take part in the campaign must see me by Monday 7th May.

Mr M Harrison - Subject Leader for Economics and Business Studies

CCF

Due to the current foot and mouth epidemic many of our activities, off the School premises, have been severely curtailed. Rifle ranges and military training areas were closed immediately the epidemic began. Fortunately, rifle ranges have re-opened and we have been able to resume shooting activities. We are due to compete in the Kent School Rifle Meeting at Hythe on May 10th and have also been invited to participate in a match at Bisley, organised by the Kent County Rifle Association on 12th May. St Martins Plain Camp has also re-opened and we have planned to hold a Recruit Training weekend there on 9th and 10th June.
Unfortunately our annual Easter Adventure Training week due to take place near Weymouth this year was cancelled and our summer camps at Penhale and Lossiemouth in July and August are looking increasingly doubtful. The military authorities have decided that these areas will not re-open until six weeks beyond the date when the foot and mouth epidemic is declared officially over. We thus expect a final decision on these two camps at the end of May and mid-June respectively.
Nevertheless the CCF continues to be busy and lively on site. Recent recruitment presentations were well received and will result in a swelling of our numbers. The Unit is also forming a Corps of Drums. It has drums and drumsticks and keen would-be drummers have been busy on Friday nights learning the various rhythms under the expert tuition of Flt. Lt. Sarah Masters.
Victoria Blanchflower of Dover Grammar School for Girls has been selected as our new Contingent Senior Cadet. She has worked hard to gain this position. Well done.

Mr D Horsley - CCF Unit

PFA

School uniform is on sale after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the School Office.
We are always pleased to receive second hand uniform which can be sold to other parents and raise funds for the PFA at the same time. Please leave it at the School Office marked for the attention of the PFA.
The next committee meeting is on Tuesday 13th June at 7.00 pm.

Mrs J Tutthill - Chairman

OLD PHAROSIANS

News of old boys - and former - is currently being gathered for the next edition of the Old Pharosians' newsletter which is due to be published in June. Among the items will be news that the grammar school at Ebbw Vale - where our pupils were evacuated during the war - has been demolished.
The next committee meeting is on Tuesday 5th June at 7.00 pm.

Mr G Tutthill

SPORTS NEWS

Fixtures - May:
Cricket - to be arranged 1st XI Lemon Cup -v- winners of Dane Court -v- Sir Roger Manwood's to be played on 19th May.
Wed. 2nd 2.00 pm 1st XI -v- Simon Langton GS (A)
Wed. 9th 2.00 pm 1st XI -v- Norton Knatchbull GS (A)
4.00 pm Year 8 -v- Astor (A)
Thurs. 10th 4.00 pm Year 7 -v- Astor (A)
4.00 pm Year 9 -v- Astor (H)
Mon. 14th 4.00 pm Year 10 -v- Astor (H)
Wed. 16th 2.00 pm 1st XI -v- Chatham House GS (H)
Wed. 23rd 2.00 pm 1st XI -v- U19 League semi-finals
June:
Tues. 5th 4.30 pm Year 7 -v- Norton Knatchbull GS (A)
4.30 pm Year 8 -v- Norton Knatchbull GS (H)
Wed. 6th 4.30 pm Year 9 -v- Norton Knatchbull GS (A)
4.30 pm Year 10 -v- Norton Knatchbull GS (H)

Athletics
Tues. 15th May 4.00 pm Years 7, 8 & 9 -v- Astor & Harvey GS at Astor

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Half Term: Monday 28th May - Friday 2nd June inclusive.