THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
JULY 2001 No. 83

The two major beneficiaries of this year’s record breaking Lenten Appeal will receive cheques in assemblies to be held during July. On 9th July Maureen Shaw of UNICEF will receive a cheque for £935.00 and a week later Kate Hunter of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund will accept their cheque.

In May 2001 the Art & Design Department was asked by Whitfield Primary School to paint a large panel. After a site visit made by Mr Almond a size and theme were agreed.

Three Year 10 Art GCSE pupils, namely David Garrett, Aaron Abbott and Martin Bannister, designed and painted a panel, approximately 6 feet square, on the theme of animals and creatures hiding and being camouflaged in a jungle/forest setting. The work is to be placed near the School’s main entrance just outside a classroom.

Mr Almond and the three artists concerned were invited to attend an unveiling ceremony at Whitfield Primary School on Friday 29th June 2001. All pupils and staff said how delighted they were with the panel and following discussions with the Whitfield staff and its Headteacher it is likely that our pupils will be involved in future artistic projects at the Primary School.

On Thursday 21st (the Summer Solstice) and Friday 22nd June, Year 10 Geography students went to the Langdon Cliffs and Dover Seafront to collect information for coursework assignments on Tourism, Leisure and the Environment.

Thursday’s Visit to Langdon Cliffs - The 24 strong class met Dr. French and Mr. Ralph outside the Langdon Cliffs SAGA Visitor Centre before splitting into two groups to survey the area. Tasks involved studying the seven car parks at Langdon Cliffs, recording details of each car park onto maps, for example, marking fences, gates, and number of spaces, as well as the car registrations. The other group conducted visual quality surveys elsewhere on the cliff top site. During our period of surveying the car parks - my car park had no cars at all - typical!

Once these surveys were complete, both groups took a short break before swapping over teachers. Some did vegetation surveys with Dr. French, in four different areas - a partly managed area, a picnic site, an area not looked after, and finally a grazed area. The task was to measure a) the percent of vegetation cover, b) the number of different species and c) area covered by grasses. Mr. Ralph’s group at this time conducted a footpath erosion survey to judge the levels of human impact on the landscape. Once completed, the groups swapped activity. We returned to the visitor centre in time for an hour’s lunch in which we could freely roam the cliffs.

Finally, we conducted more Quality of the Environment Surveys and had a quick count up of the now more numerous cars, before ending the day.

Friday’s visit to Dover Seafront - On Friday 22nd June, we met on the beach opposite Harbour House and straight away conducted the first of five traffic counts. We counted the number of vehicles that went past us in a certain direction, which meant both directions as we were in pairs, at designated parts of the seafront.

After the first traffic survey, Mr Ralph showed us how to conduct a beach profile. This involved getting into groups of four, measuring the distance of the beach that was roughly at the same gradient (measuring from the top of the beach towards the sea) using a clinometer (a device for measuring the slope of the ground). We then conducted a number of our own beach profiles, quite quickly as it happened, as the tide was coming in. We also recorded wave frequencies and did pebble counts at each beach profile. A sea front survey took much longer than expected so each student surveyed only a third of it. It was a very sunny and hot day. Quite a number caught the sun, especially while conducting a beach activity survey which also included counting the number of people on the promenade and in the neighbouring streets, recording what they were doing – shopping, eating ice cream, sunbathing and so on.

Soon it was over. Now it is a case of recording all the data so we can use it to produce our own GCSE Coursework based on our own field work.

Eight members of Year 12 accompanied by Mr Thomas attended an open day at Magdalen College, Oxford on Thursday 28th June. They had the chance to talk to subject tutors, stroll around the beautiful grounds including the deer park and enjoy a sumptuous free lunch in the magnificent panelled Hall. Some also took the chance to visit the university Science departments or explore Oxford’s range of bookshops.

Watch this space to see if any are eventually successful in gaining a place.

We said goodbye to Year 13 on Friday 29th June with a party in the Hall and on the Quad. The canteen ladies produced a wonderful buffet, which was served with wine and there was a barbecue for the seriously hungry. Many thanks to the members of the band ‘Exit’ who played throughout the evening.

The same day also brought the Sixth Form Induction Course to a close, after an intensive period of time sampling AS level lessons and learning about Higher Education and the wider opportunities in the Sixth Form. We wish these new students well and look forward to welcoming them into the Upper School in September.

Some members from Year 10 took part in the filming of a programme called "We Are History". It is a comical look at the Battle of Hastings and involved us, students from Astor School and seven French students from Marck. It was a great day! We loved filming on the boat, as well as on the beach and at the Harbour Board Club.

Thank you to Mme Lloyd for organising it.

On Friday 28th September there will be a visit to the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

There will also be a visit to the Inns of Court, namely the Hon. Society of the Middle Temple where students will be able to see the splendid Great Hall and see the rooms of the Benchers (Judges) where it is anticipated that an informal discussion will take place on the history of the Inn and where pupils will be able to meet some of the Benchers of the High Courts.

There will also be a tour of Chambers along King’s Bench Walk, Paper Buildings and Fountain Court, famous for many scenes from Charles Dickens films such as Bleak House, Oliver Twist and Pickwick Papers and others like Jack the Ripper. They are also famous for sightings of the ‘Hanging Judge Jeffrey’.

A cultural visit to the British Museum as a third visit is anticipated.

On Wednesday 11th 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, Woodwind Group and the String Orchestra will be interspersed with a variety of solos.

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.

On Monday 11th June the school’s String Orchestra under the direction of our Violin Teacher Mrs Morgan visited Whitfield Primary School to give a performance as part of their Arts Week.

Their presentation was very well received and we are pleased to have been able to share our music as well as our art work with one of our local primary school.

As 2001 has been designed European Year of Languages, Year 9 pupils will be looking at languages other than English, French and German until the summer holidays.

We would be grateful for offers of help with European and non European languages.

This month the CCF as usual has been very active. The recruit weekend allowed all those who attended to complete their training and pass all the required tests to become full cadets. There has also been multiple shooting activities including a day of training on the cadet rifle range. This was followed by a day of shooting practice for the cadets to exercise their new found skills.

On Sunday 8th July the Battle of Britain Memorial Service will be held with both sections attending.

The Army Section will be going to Cornwall from 14th-20th July.

The Contingent hopes to end the term with a bar nd we look forward to welcoming the new parents in September.

The PFA raises funds to provide more facilities for the school, to arrange social events and to help at various school functions. Over the years we have provided many "extras" through our fund-raising. We provide help at events such as Sports Day, Open Evenings and Concerts. We also sell new T-shirts and aprons and hold a good stock of second-hand uniform at very reasonable prices.

Fund-raising activities include wine and wisdom evenings and a Christmas Draw with full details being given in the "First Thursday" newsletters. We also run a successful 200 Club which we hope you will join.

We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the PFA committee and we are especially pleased to welcome parents of new boys.

After four years as PFA Chairman Jill Tutthill is now standing down and we are grateful to Joan Gambrell for volunteering to take over as Chairman. We wish her well in this post.

The next committee meeting is on 11th September at 7.00 pm.

The results for the June draw are as follows:

1st Mrs A Close (109) £25, 2nd Mrs A Rodgers (80) £15, 3rd Mr D Stockdale (161) £10.

The special prize of £100 was won by:

Mrs D Blanchflower (17)

This is the name by which former pupils of our school are known and the Old Pharosians’ Association helps keep them in contact with each other and with events and developments at the school. It also helps raise funds for the school.

A newsletter is produced twice a year and copies are sent to more than 700 members throughout the world. The latest edition has just been published. If any of the fathers of boys at the school used to be pupils here themselves, and have not yet joined the association, now would be a very good time to join. Membership forms are available from the school office, and the annual subscription is just £5.

Phil Janaway is our current President and Denis Doble will be taking over from him at the annual meeting which takes place at 11.00 am on Saturday 29th September at the school (coffee is served from 10.30 am). The football match between the Old Pharosians and the school’s 1st XI is at 2.30 pm that afternoon and the annual dinner takes place in the evening.

The annual cricket match between the Old Pharosians and the school’s 1^st XI was held on Wednesday 4th July, 2.30 pm at Crabble.

Just to let new parents know that the school has an ongoing collection of old spectacles to send to Vision Aid Overseas, a charity which provides people in developing countries with otherwise unobtainable spectacles. In ten years volunteer optometrists and opticians from all over Britain have visited nine African countries, as well as India, Jamaica, Peru and Vietnam to help more than 200,000 people. Since we started the collection two years ago we have sent off about 60 pairs of spectacles.

If you or any of you friends or relatives have any old glasses no longer needed please send them in to the School Office. Don’t worry if they haven’t got cases as VAO don’t need these.

Two new records were established, unusually both in field events.

In Year 8 Jamie Phillips achieved an outstanding first round throw of 11m 90cms with the 3.24 kg shot beating the old record of D. Ratcliffe held since 1982 by 55cms and achieving double points for Port House in this event.

The javelin event in Year 9 saw Gareth Hewer produce two throws and then with his last effort he managed an outstanding 36m 07cms to smack the old record by nearly 4 metres, held by R Harlow since 1983. Only one other competitor, Craig Crofts, achieved a throw in the javelin of over 30 metres.

The wet, damp weather and low cloud cleared during the morning and some excellent performances were achieved with the larger 300 metre track on the lower field.

Five new records were established in the 4 x 1 lap relays and these were as below:-

Year 7 Channel House 3mins 48.63secs
Year 8 Priory House 3mins 23.52secs
Year 9 Priory House 3mins 12.82secs
Year 10 Priory House 3mins 03.61secs
Open Channel House 3mins 04.09secs

The new format worked well with all the field events being staged on the top field.

The Lower School events took place on the track in the morning and the Upper School running events took place in the early afternoon. The relays on the track finished off the whole programme.

The javelin event for the Lower School took a little longer than planned and was in fact the last event of the day.

The final points position was as follows:-

1st Priory 784 points
2nd Channel 738 points
3rd Port 688 points
4th Channel 469 points
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the programme run smoothly.

Early in June the Year 10 cricket team traveled to Faversham to play Queen Elizabeth’s School in the Kent Cup. Under overcast skies the school batted first and quickly collapsed to 46 for 6. Staring defeat in the face the innings was rescued by Michael Marsh (28 no) accompanied first by Andy Arter and then by Martin Bannister. The school ended their 20 overs on 78 for 8. The team performed admirably in the field but conceded too many extras early on in Q.E.’s innings. John Stokes (1 for 6) and Cai O’Sullivan (2 for 22) bowled well whilst Year 8 played Arter’s leg spin flummoxed their best batsman. Queen Elizabeth’s eventually won by 6 wickets with 5 overs to spare.

Following a rained off match and an abandoned match due to an unsafe wicket, the next match pitted them against Sir Roger Manwood’s School, Sandwich. Batting first, Manwood’s posted an impregnable 153 for 3 in 20 overs with only John Stokes (4 overs for 11 runs) able to restrict the free scoring batsmen. Kush Bopari bowled well particularly in bowling one of their best players with a turning off-break. Toby Auld fielded magnificently after being drafted in as a late replacement. Chasing such a huge total was always going to be difficult and so it proved. Slumping to 15 for 4 was disastrous and only Richard Horsler (10), Tom Smith (7) and Richard Trenowden (12 no) ensured some respectability. Dover finished on 53 for 9 off 20 overs.

Last week the Table Tennis AGM was held. The League Fixtures Meeting will be held on Monday 23rd July at Dover Harbour Board. Any teams that would like to come along but cannot make that date please let me know.

CONGRATULATIONS go to Alastair Walker (7PY) who is competing in the Scottish National Swimming Championships this week.

Alastair has qualified to swim in the 100m breastroke and 200m individual medley events in the junior age group championships being held in Glasgow.

A member of the Dover Life Guard Swimming Club Alastair swims on average seven times a week and a number of the training sessions are in the morning before school begins.

This is the first time Alastair has swum in a national championships and he qualified for the event thanks to his Scottish father.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Summer Concert - Wednesday 11th July at 7.30 pm in the School Hall.

Junior Prizegiving - Wednesday 18th July at 4.00 pm in the School Hall.

End of Term: Wednesday 25th July

Please note that the school will close at 1.30 pm. School buses have been notified.

Autumn Term Commences: Thurs. 6th September 2001

(There is a Staff Development Day on Wednesday 5th September)