Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERWELCOME
As we start the new school year we welcome the 118 boys who are joining the school in Year 7, boys who are joining other years and we also welcome five new members of staff:-
Mrs Francoise Lloyd has joined us as Head of Modern Languages. She is a graduate of Christchurch College, Canterbury and was previously Head of French at Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone.
Ms Tasneem Shafi has joined us as Head of Economics and Business Studies. She is a graduate of the University of Salford and was previously teaching at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys where she was Assistant Head of Sixth Form.
Mr John Moore has joined us to teach History, English and Grames. He is a graduate of Queen's University, Belfast and a newly qualified teacher.
Mr Paul Baldock has joined us as part time teacher of Music. He is a graduate of Huddersfield University and of Trinity College of Music. He is teaching for the remainder of his week at St Edmund's RC School.
Mrs Kate Curtis has returned to us to teach Mathematics part time. She previously taught here full time from 1986 to 1991.
STAFF LEAVERS
At the end of the Summer Term three members of staff left the school:
Mr David Harding, part-time teacher of Music retired after having been with the school for 3 years.
Mr Anthony Lascelles, temporary part time teacher of Modern Languages, left after covering for the long term absence and eventual retirement on health grounds of Mr Graham Lodder. He had previously taught at Dover College.
Mr Michael Webb, temporary part-time teacher of Economics and Business Studies left after the one term necessary to fill the gap left by first Dr Joseph Donnelly and then Mr Gary Philpott. Mr Webb has gone on to a post at Gravesend Grammar School for Boys.
EXAMINATION RESULTS
The A level results were very good. The great majority of candidates got the grades they needed to go to the university of their choice. Their average point score of 21.9 will put us very high in the league tables. 94% of the candidates gained 2 or more passes.
Congratulations in particular to Thomas Marsh and Timothy Courtney who were brave enough to open their results on GMTV. Fortunately they both got excellent grades and are going up to Oxford as a result.
After a number of years of excellent GCSE results this year's were not quite as good but still well up with the average standards for a grammar school in Kent. As with the A levels almost all the candidates got the grades they were hoping for and have proceeded with their plans. 95% of the candidates got 5 GCSEs at grade C or above and the average point score per candidate was 55.
Mr N Slater - Headteacher
UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES
We are very pleased to hear of the following successes among former DGSB students:
University of Warwick
Ross A Duncan - achieved BSc with Lower 2nd class in Applied Mathematics.
Matthew J Meadows - achieved BSc with Upper 2nd class in Mathematics.
University of Bradford Management Centre
Stephen N Whitcombe - achieved an Upper 2nd class degree in Business and Management Studies.
Loughborough University
Robert J Maynard - achieved B.Eng. with First Class Honours in Automotive Engineering.
Aberystwyth - University of Wales
Christopher Childs - achieved a II/2 degree in Geography (Science).
MUSIC
The last concert of the 1997/98 academic year was "Music for a Summer Evening" held on Wednesday 15th July in the School Hall when a large and appreciative audience gathered to hear a wide-ranging programme presented by the school's musicians. A variety of individual items featured solos by both pupils and staff (including Mr Slater on oboe) interspersed between performances by the Training Band, Jazz Group and Big Band. Wine and Cheese refreshments served during the interval by the PFA complemented the musical items to provide a most enjoyable evening.
Musical events this term include the Autumn Concert on Wednesday 14th October given in conjunction with the Governing Body's Annual Parents Evening for 1998. The Annual Parents Meeting commences at 7.00 pm and the concert will follow at 8.00 pm. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will be held on Wednesday 16th December in Charlton Church.
Mr R Davies - Director of Music
SCHOOL LIBRARY
Tesco Computer 98 Update
I can now report that the school has been successful in its bid to receive a computer and printer for use in the Library. A letter has been received requesting my attendance, along with two pupils, at a presentation on Friday 25th September. In the October newsletter I hope to report that the equipment is up and running. Watch this space!!
Thank you again for all your help and support. For the benefit of the new Year 7 parents we raised a grand total of 19,552 vouchers and have a good basis for next year's appeal.
Other News - At the end of last term I took receipt of our first consignment of free classic fiction titles from Everyman Publishers as part of a millenium commission donation scheme.
Various comments for and against the titles included, and their hardback format, you may well have read about in the national press. As a school we were happy to partake in the project and I am confident that many of the titles will be read by staff and pupils in years to come.
Mrs L George - School Librarian
PFA
The PFA would like to welcome all new boys and parents to the school and look forward to seeing you at the various events which we organise.
The next PFA Committee Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 15th September at 7.30 pm at the school and anyone who is interested in joining the committee will be very welcome.
Everyone is invited to come to the PFA AGM on Wednesday 30th September at 7.30 pm and also to the first Wine & Wisdom evening on Friday 9th October - further details will follow.
Don't forget that T-shirts and aprons are available from the School Office and that secondhand clothing is available at very reasonable prices. Please ring Sandra on Dover 820709.
One of our main fundraising activities throughout the year is the 200 Club. For a subscription of £12 a year you have the chance of winning one of the monthly prizes of £25, £15 or £10. There are also two special prizes in December and June of £100. The draw takes place on the third Thursday of each month, so to join the Club for this year please complete the forms in the PFA booklet and send it together with £12 to the 200 Club Secretary, Christine Dunstone c/o Dover Grammar School for Boys by Tuesday 15th September. If you are an existing member please send your subscription for the coming year, also by 15th September.
Results of the last two draws are:-
July - £25 Mr & Mrs M Farmery (48), £15 Mrs S Ward (141) and £10 Mrs J Neale (132).
August - £25 Mr G Tutthill (123), £15 Mr J Wills (32) and £10 Mr A Ashford (182).
WORKSHOPS
The Workshops will be open for Engineering Club on Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from 3.25 pm to 4.45 pm for any members of the school who wish to expand their knowledge of wood, metal and plastic work. It is suggested that Years 7, 8 or 9 follow a new manufacturing project not connected with their normal daytime course, but Years 10 and above may follow the manufacture of their designs for GCSE and 'A' level work.
Miscellaneous: The Workshops have one 5' diameter parabolic aluminium dish, formally used as a satellite reflection dish that is no longer required. If anybody knows of a good home for it, it is begging to be taken away! If the workshops still have it at the end of September it will be cut up and melted down to add to the workshops stock of aluminium for the casting foundry.
OLD PHAROSIANS
The Old Pharosians - the association of former pupils of the school - will be holding their annual meeting, football match and dinner on Saturday 26th September. The meeting is at 11.00 am when Tony Bradley is due to succeed Denis Weaver as President. The football match, between an Old Boys team and the school's 1st XI, starts at 2.30 pm and spectators are very welcome!
The annual dinner is always an interesting and enjoyable occasion as former pupils from across the years get together to recall old times, and catch up on what has been happening at the school, as well as enjoying a good meal at a very reasonable price. If there are any fathers of current pupils who are old boys of the school and would like to attend the dinner please contact Maurice Smith, 68 Minnis Lane, River, by 19th September. Tickets are £12.50. You don't have to be a member of the association to attend - but membership forms are always available!!
The association has just published the latest edition of its newsletter, and a few spare copies may be available at the school. It contains details of the Old Pharosians' activities, as well as news of former pupils and members of staff.
We are always pleased to receive news of former pupils to include in the newsletter. Details should be sent to the editor, Terry Sutton, 17 Bewsbury Cross Lane, Whitfield, CT16 3HB or c/o the school.
Anyone interested in joining the association should contact the Membership Secretary, Mr Dave Murray, at the school.
SPORTS NEWS
Football:
1st XI fixtures: Mon. 14th Sept. -v- Howard School (H). Wed. 16th Sept. -v- Tunbridge Wells GS (A). Wed. 23rd Sept. County Cup -v- St Simon Stock (H) (provisional). Sat. 26th Sept. -v- Old Pharosians (KO 2.15 pm). Wed. 30th Sept. -v- Simon Langton GS (H).
2nd XI fixtures: Wed. 16th Sept. -v- Tunbridge Wells GS (H). Wed. 30th Sept. -v- Simon Langton GS (A).
Table Tennis:
This year Dover Grammar School for Boys have placed 5 teams in the Dover & District Table Tennis League which is affiliated to the English Table Tennis Association (E.T.T.A.) One team is in the 'A' Division, while the rest are playing in the 'B'. The Gym will be open for coaching and practice to all persons registered in the teams every Monday from 3.25 until 4.45. For new boys to the school who are not already signed on in any of the teams there will be practice sessions on Tuesdays only after school from 3.25 to 4.45 pm. Those wishing to improve their table tennis skills are asked to see Paul Skelton, the Workshop Technician, in the workshops at any first break to register that they are attending. It may be necessary, as has happened before, to limit the number each week. All boys attending will be required to wear the correct clothing consisting of plimsolls or trainers, and a dark coloured shirt (white is not allowed above the waist in table tennis). If possible please supply a table tennis bat if you have one, although there are a few that we can lend on the day.
Note for those registered in teams only:
The Grammar 'C' team will be playing from the Whitfield Club and not the Grammar School, although they will be representing the school and may be called upon to play as reserves for the 'A' and 'B' teams, or call upon reserves from the 'D' and 'E' teams.
This year the entry fee for registration in the leagues has been increased to £43 per team. To help maintain the funds for table tennis I am going to ask each registered team member to donate a small amount of money to help maintain our facilities. School members are asked to kindly donate the sum of £5 each, while parents and non school members £10 for the whole season. Cheques and postal orders should be made out to DGSB Voluntary Fund and handed to Paul Skelton in the workshops. There is no fee for after school practice.
HELP! Are there any parents who would be willing to help me on certain evenings. I will require assistance in opening up, supervising and locking up on evenings when I am playing in the 'A' team away on the same night that matches are played at home. Please contact me via the school on Extension 119.
Mr P Skelton - Workshop Technician
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
The Staff Development Days for the academic year 1998/99 are as follows:
Monday 7th September (1st day of term)
Thursday 22nd/Friday 23rd October (week before ½ term)
Tuesday 5th January (1st day of term)
Monday 12th April (1st day of term)
