THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
JULY 2000 No. 72

SPORTS DAY

Unfortunately this year's sports day had to be curtailed after Event No. 11 due to torrential rain which left the field so wet that it would have been dangerous to re-start later in the day.
At the time of going to press the possibility of completing the events is still under consideration. Our apologies to any parents who tried to come yesterday but we hope that you appreciate the reasons for our decision.
The continuing unsettled weather forecast for Thursday and Friday would make holding it this week unlikely to be successful. We have therefore decided to try for Tuesday 18th July probably starting at 12.00 pm after an early lunch. Further details will be announced to all pupils in assembly nearer the time.

Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

LENTEN APPEAL 2000

The third charity to be supported by this year's Lenten Appeal, the Kent Air Ambulance, received their cheque for £600 in assembly this week. Mr Peter Tucker, a paramedic with the service, received the cheque and spoke about their work.

Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION

Letters went out last week inviting nominations for the two vacancies for parent governors. If any parent did not receive their letter, or would like another copy, then please contact the School Office. The deadline for nominations is Monday 10th July.

Mrs S Barham - Clerk to Governing Body

NEW COMPUTER NETWORK

Over the half term holiday network cabling for the School's new computer network was completed. Last week new computer furniture was delivered. Later in July new computers will be installed in the newest computer room (Computer Room 2) adjacent to the newly constructed 'Fiat Lux' tower which will provide access from the quadrangle above and from the Canteen level below.
By the start of the next academic year the School will have three computer rooms; two of which will form a new computer suite immediately above Design & Technology (Computer Rooms 1 & 2) together with the old computer room (Computer Room 3).
Computer Rooms 1 & 2 will offer internet access to whole classes. Computer Room 2 will also provide multimedia facilities and is intended for use by all subject areas.
PCs in Computer Rooms 1 & 2, the Library and the Staff Room will be connected to a single network which can be extended easily.
The basic network equipment and operating programs are being bought with National Grid for Learning money provided by central government and administered by KCC whilst the new multimedia PCs and networked CD-ROM facilities are being paid for by the school.

Mr P Woolgar - IT Co-ordinator

SUMMER CONCERT

On Wednesday 12th July at 7.30 pm we will be presenting our annual Summer Concert in the School Hall.
The programme will include instrumental music played by the School's musicians ranging from classical to jazz. Performances by the Training Band, Big Band, Brass Ensemble and Jazz Group will be interspersed with a variety of solos and music from the DGSB Barber Shop Singers.
During the interval a choice of cheese and wine or light refreshments will be served, included in the admission charge of £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for students.
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.
Donations: The school's Music Department has received a letter of thanks from Cancer Research for the donation of £120 made possible through the Retiring Collection at the Choral Concert on Saturday 1st April this year, an exact match for the £120 we were able to send them after the corresponding concert in 1997. The Choral Concert also allowed the school to make a further donation to the work of Charlton Church, in addition to the funds raised for them through the collection at our Carol Service in December.

Mr R S Davies - Director of Music

PARENTS' AND FRIENDS' ASSOCIATION

At the last committee meeting Jill Tutthill was re-elected Chairman, Janet Munford was re-elected Secretary, Ian Munford was re-elected Treasurer and Paula Brown was re-elected 200 Club Secretary for the coming year. Jeanette Clements is now the new and second-hand uniform co-ordinator.

The PFA will be helping at the New Boys and Parents evening this evening, serving refreshments at the Summer Concert on Wednesday 12th July and second-hand uniform will be on sale at the year 7 Parents' Evening on Thursday 13th July.
The next committee meeting is on Wednesday 13th September at 7.30 pm and the annual meeting is on rd October at 7.30 pm.

Mrs J Tutthill - Chairman

200 Club:

The winners of the June draw were:
1st £25 Mrs M Cochrane (34), 2nd £15 Mrs S Chivington (199) and 3rd £10 Mrs C Hill (166).
The special prize of £100 was won by:
Mrs R Kirk (179)

Mrs P Brown - 200 Club Secretary

OLD PHAROSIANS' ASSOCIATION

The former pupils of the school are celebrating after the Old Pharosians XI won their annual cricket match against the school's 1st XI by 54 runs. Batting first, the O.Ps scored 149 for three declared and the 1st XI reached 95 in their innings.
The London Reunion last month was very successful with a good number of old boys who live or work in the London area getting together to chat over old times and to hear current news of the school.
The next edition of the association's newsletter is due to be published within the next few days and more than 700 copies will be distributed to Old Pharosians throughout the world.
The association's annual meeting, football match and dinner will take place on Saturday 23rd September.

Mr G Tutthill

CCF

Over the last few weeks the CCF has taken part in numerous activities. Two cadets attended a Helicopter Air Show at Kilpeck in Herefordshire. Activities included a night exercise and a fire and medical rescue exercise in which a casualty was extracted from a burning truck and then evacuated by the local police helicopter.
More recently 36 cadets attended Artillery Day 2000 at Larkhill near Salisbury Plan. The cadets were entertained by the Royal Artillery Day 2000, Kings Troop and an impressive live fire power demonstration of most of the Royal Artillery's weapons.
As always we are looking for new recruits for both the Army and the RAF sections. Over the last six months cadets have had the opportunity to fly, shoot, canoe, abseil, rock climb, caving, pony trek and much much more. If you are interested come down to the CCF HQ any lunch time and collect an information pack.

Sgt. Thomas - NCO IC RAF Section

MBE

We congratulate Mr Stockdale, father of David (12R) and Christopher (8CH) for having received an MBE in the Birthday Honours.

SPORTS NEWS

Table Tennis
The Table Tennis AGM Meeting is looming upon us and I MUST have the names of all those wishing to take part by tomorrow (Friday 7th July) at the latest.
I will be having a meeting in school before the AGM informing players of their teams and hopeful divisions.

Mr P Skelton - Workshop Technician

DIARY DATES FOR SUMMER TERM

Music for a Summer Evening - Wednesday 12th July

Junior Prizegiving - Wednesday 19th July

End of Term - Tuesday 25th July 

Autumn Term commences - Tuesday 5th September
(Staff Development Day - Monday 4th September)