THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2000 No. 73

WELCOME

As we start the new school year we welcome the 111 boys who are joining the school in Year 7, boys who are joining other years and we also welcome nine new members of staff:-
Ms Rosemary Ball has joined us as part time teacher of Psychology. She is a graduate of Durham University and has taught in Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Cambridgeshire and Nepal.
Mr Vincent Crofts is joining us as part time teacher of Law and is a graduate of the University of London. He is a member of Middle Temple and has taught at Bexhill College and Havering College.
Mr Michael Harrison joins us as Subject Leader for Economics and Business Studies. He will also be teaching Politics. He is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University and has recently been teaching at Mid Kent College and before that at Chatham Grammar School for Girls.
Mrs Pauline Harrison has joined us as part time teacher of Business Studies. She is a graduate through the Open University and has until recently been Head of Business Studies at Chatham Grammar School for Girls.
Mr Roger McCracken joins the Design & Technology Department. Until his recent retirement he was Head of Technology at Astor School. Before that he was a Deputy Headteacher at Aylesham School.
Mr Daniel Morrissey is joining us as teacher of Sociology Sports Studies/History. He has a first degree from Christchurch University College and a Masters degree from Leicester.
Mr Christopher Mortimer is the new IT Technician who will be working at both DGSB and DGSG. Mr Mortimer has been working in Zimbabwe until recently in the IT field.
Mr Ben Ralph joins us as teacher of Geography/Games. He has recently graduated from Exeter University.
Ms Carmel Spencer is joining us as teacher of Science having recently arrived in England from New Zealand. Ms Spencer graduated from Massey University in New Zealand and has until recently been Head of Science at Ruapehu College.
Five of these posts are new, four to staff new 'A' level courses in the Sixth Form and the fifth to look after the newly arrived ICT equipment.
Our congratulations go to Mrs Susan Rose who was married during the holidays. Her married name is now Mrs Susan Clough.

STAFF LEAVERS

At the end of the Summer Term three members of staff left the school:
Mr Stephen Bailey, teacher of Geography and Sports Studies, who has left to take up a new post as Head of Geography at Junior King's School in Canterbury.
Mr Jeremy Michaels, teacher of PE and Games, has left to take up a position at Sittingbourne Community College.
Ms Tasneem Shafi, subject leader for Economics and Business Studies, has left to take up a position at Dulwich International College in Thailand.

EXAMINATION RESULTS

This year broke our long run of improvement in 'A' level results with an average candidate score of 19.0, still respectable but not as good as last year. Every single candidate got at least 2 'A' level passes, thereby becoming qualified for entrance to university. There were some outstanding successes, notably Michael Roberts with a place at Selwyn College, Cambridge to read Mathematics, Mark Gabriel with a place at St Catherine's College, Oxford to read Mathematics & Computing and Daniel Trenowden with a place at Leeds to read Law.
Our GCSE results were up on last year and the year before, especially pleasing because this was the first group who entered the school under our own admissions arrangements. More has meant better!
The top scorers were Stuart Inglis (9A*s, 1A), Giles Barrett (7A*s, 3As), Nicholas Hayward (7A*s, 2As, 1B) and Benjamin Langley (7A*s, 2As, 1B). They were run very close by Jonathan De Keyser, Malcolm Montgomery, Paul Witty, Matthew Ayers, James Eberlein, James Garlick, Peter Elms, Edward Smith, James Eaton and Christopher Luckhurst, all with 70 points or more.

NEW BUILDINGS AND COMPUTERS

The new tower is now in operation, much improving the convenience of circulation of boys and staff around the school. It gives access to the newest of our three computer rooms. The new computers for this room have just arrived and will be in commission soon.

Mr N A Slater - Headteacher

UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES

We are very pleased to hear of the following successes among former DGSB students:
Brunel University
Marcus Youden - obtained an Honours Degree in Engineering, specialising in automotive engineering design.
University of Kent at Canterbury
Gregory Dennis - obtained a Bachelor of Engineering Degree with Honours having studied Computer Systems Engineering.
Kristian Dixon - obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours having studied Politics & Government.
Daniel Dyer - obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours having studied Computer Science.
Robert Hackett - obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours having studied Theology & Religious Studies.
Paul Lee - obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours having studied Accounting & Finance.
Leicester University
Jonathan Coates - obtained a BSc with Honours having studied Pharmacology with Basic Medical Sciences.
Mario Del Duca - obtained a BA with Honours having studied French and Italian.
Philip Woodland - obtained a BSc with Honours having studied Pharmacology with Basic Medical Science.
Oxford University
Thomas Marsh - We have been notified that Thomas has been awarded an Open Exhibition for the forthcoming academic year. This was done on the recommendation of his tutors in recognition of the high quality of his work last year.
Reading University
Ben Hughes - obtained a degree with Honours in History.
Royal Holloway, University of London
Paul Edwards - obtained a degree with Honours in Mathematics with Operational Research.
The University of York
Stephen Kearns - obtained a BA with Honours in Philosophy.
Jonathan Rowing - obtained a BA with Honours in Politics.

SCHOOL LUNCH

From 1st September the cost of a school lunch will be increased to £1.40. This increase will be reflected through all items on sale and parents should ensure that their children have enough money to cover this extra cost. 
Our canteen food is very high quality with only fresh meat and vegetables used as far as possible. We need your support to maintain our standards so please encourage your son to take advantage of what still represents very good value for money.

Mrs M Pardoe - Finance Officer

YEAR 9 VISIT TO LA COUPOLE
Wednesday 12th July 2000

It was a rather early start to the day for most of Year 9 as we had to be at the docks before 6.50 am. We all managed to turn up - before the teachers arrived! The weather didn't look too promising, but as the morning haze cleared, the sun managed to warm everything up. After being assigned a rendezvous in the ship we were allowed to explore the ship throughout the one-hour journey to Calais.
The weather was wonderful in France, the only clouds in the direction of the UK!
A World War II V1 and V2 rocket base, the five metre thick concrete dome covering the museum and two information cinemas looks like an ancient version of the millennium dome, mixed with a spaceship from the movie 'Independence Day'.
From the outside it looks old and derelict, but after you have walked through the stalactite covered entrance tunnel and received a quite high-tech infra-red headset, the information journey begins. First you see the generator room and travel tunnels once used by rockets, and workers (mostly Jews and other slave workers from the German Gestapo's capture). Then, taking a lift to the dome itself, you emerge in a fact filled and interactive World War II experience, with cinemas, slide shows and hands-on exhibits, even the original rocket motors and replica German and American past and present rockets (e.g. the V2 and Saturn IV).
Leaving La Coupole after two hours through a maze of very high tunnels, some never completed, we made the trip back to Calais in the coach, air-conditioned thankfully. We were allowed to browse around Cité Europe, a huge hypermarket in Calais, for about half an hour. However, this was a risky option as some pupils arrived late for the ferry, almost missing it or the times being well judged! We left the Port of Calais at about 5.00 pm (French time) and arrived at Dover, one and a half hours later at 5.15 pm (British time) to learn that it had rained lightly once whilst we were away.
Overall the trip was well worth it and thanks go to Mr Gaskell and Miss Martin for organising the transport and bookings, and to Mrs Hargrave, Mr Falconer and Mrs Watson for controlling (and coping with) the classes present.

James Rowson - 9 Port

ART - DEMELZA HOUSE, SITTINGBOURE

On Thursday 20th July twelve Sixth Form art students visited Demelza House Childrens' Hospice near Sittingbourne for the unveiling of their panels produced during art lessons and free periods over the past few months.
After the success two years ago when a similar project was undertaken by the school we were asked to create more panels, this time twelve to decorate the teenagers' recreation room, as well as other areas in the hospice. These panels ranged from landscape views of Dover, city scenes, aboriginal art and cartoon scenes to views from around the world, scenes from 'The Matrix' and pictures of pop stars.
At the unveiling ceremony speeches were made by Helen Carter (Chief Executive, Demelza House) and by Mr Neil Slater, our Headteacher. The panels were described as 'superb'. Demelza House is a centre for terminally ill young people to stay at and is funded almost entirely through donations made by members of the public.

Those who created the panels for the centre were:
David Parish, Chris Tutthill, Mark Long, Tim Andrews, Lee Kembrey, Chris Townend, Thomas Reay, Neil Brinicombe, Kevin Doughty, Alex Gough, Daniel Phelan, Robert Kennett, Ashley Bostock, Christopher Wright and Mrs Lloyd.

David Parish - Year 12

ART TRIP - TATE MODERN GALLERY, LONDON
Friday 21st July 2000

On Friday 21st July thirty pupils from the Year 10 and Year 12 art groups visited the Tate Modern Gallery in London.
After meeting at the top gates at 7.45 am the two groups took the coach to the Tate Modern at 8.00 am.
With minimal traffic all the way we arrived at 10.15 am and made our way to the front entrance. The Gallery was recently converted from being a power station into an art collection exhibit. It is vast with seven floors of exhibits and large sculptures in the main hall area. The art work inside the building spanned from 1900 to present day.
We focused on landscape, body, still life and history works for our coursework. I preferred the landscapes, especially Trivaux Pond by Henri Matisse, which I found attractive and effective as a landscape piece.
The Gallery was very interesting and had a wide selection of works by well known and lesser known artists from the period. 
After leaving the Tate Modern we sat outside on the grass next to the Thames for our lunch at 12.30.

Karl Everett - Year 10

Once we got into the Art Nouveau exhibition we viewed various works of art from well known and lesser known artists, such as graphics by Lautrec, Behrens and Mucha, jewellery by Lalique, paintings by Klimt and furniture and interior design by Mackintosh.
Art Nouveau was an art movement between 1890 and 1914. The works strike as being vibrant and great explorations of materials and techniques, as well as deliberate attempts to transform the visual culture of the urban industrial world. A wide range of forms were used such as paintings, sculptures, graphics, jewellery, shop fronts, furniture and interior design. Art Nouveau quickly spread across Europe and North America.
An example of a piece of art nouveau is 'The Kiss' by Peter Behrens. This has been copied and 'ripped off' many times so it was good to see the original.
Overall it was a brilliant trip and we would like to thank Mr Almond and Mr Thompson for organising the trip along with Mr Falconer and Mrs Lloyd for helping.

Ben McNamara - Year 10

SUMMER SCHOOL FOR HIGHLY ABLE CHILDREN

27 children from Years 6 and 7 participated in the first Dover Grammar Schools Summer School from 21st August to 1st September. There were approximately equal numbers of boys and girls, and half the group were Year 6 pupils about to start at one of the two Grammar Schools.
Activities included visits to St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury and the historic town of Montreuil in France, drama based on the Canterbury Tales, measuring the height of the school flagpole and learning about the Dover Bronze Age boat. The children produced work in History, English, Maths, Science and French and took part in an exciting grand quiz at the end.
Prizes were awarded to:
Kimberley Turner (Year 6) - Best overall course folder
Meera Narang (Year 7) - Best overall course folder
Arian Beqiri (Year 6) - History
Alys Hewer (Year 7) - History
Antara Banerjee (Year 6) - Science
Charlotte Bailey (Year 7) - Science
Richard Biggs (Year 6) - Maths
Carys Williams (Year 7) - Maths
Sam Coughlan (Year 6) - French
James Dray (Year 7) - French
Miles Brett (year 7) - Art
Rachael Humphries - Photograph
James Jolliffe (Year 6) - Creative Writing
Stuart Ferguson (Year 7) - Creative Writing
Staff participating in the Summer School were: Mr M G Thomas (Co-ordinator), Mr P Blake, Mr J Gaskell, Miss H Martin from the Boys' School and Mr N Harbage from Dover Grammar School for Girls.
Mr M G Thomas - Summer School Co-ordinator

MUSIC

On Wednesday 12th July the school's musicians presented the annual Summer Concert in the School Hall. Performances by the Brass Ensemble, Training Band, Big Band and Barber Shop Singers were interspersed with a wide variety of solo items and during the interval wine and cheese refreshments were served by the PFA. An appreciative audience made the evening a great success.
Just a week later on Wednesday 19th July the musicians were in action again presenting musical interludes at Junior Prizegiving. Pieces performed by the Brass Ensemble and Big Band framed a flute duet played by Aaron Hobday and Thomas Munford, winner of the Year 9 Music Prize.
Final assembly on 25th July saw the award of Music Colours and the presentation of the Performing Arts Tie to thirteen members of Year 9 for services to the school's music:
Simon Bishop
Kush Boparai
Ben Bulow
Patrick Mallery
Robert McKay
Sam Wilkie
Jonathan Stubbs
Adam Owen-Stirna
Thomas A Smith
Aaron Hobday
Thomas Munford
Toby Auld
Thomas R Smith
Congratulations are due to all of them and also to Nicholas Jones who passed Grade 2 Cello at the very end of last term.

Mr R S Davies - Director of Music

A PLEA! - LOWER SCHOOL TIES

If (new) Year 10 pupils still have their tie from the Lower School the School Office would appreciate any donations to allow them to lend ties to boys who have lost them.

Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

MENINGITIS VACCINATIONS

Pupils in Years 8 - 12 who missed last year's meningitis vaccinations can attend either of the following sessions:
Saturday 23rd September Dover Health Centre (9.00 - 11.30 am)
Saturday 30th September Bowling Green Lane Clinic, Deal (9.00 - 12 noon)
Boys in Year 7 who missed the vaccination while at Primary School can also attend.

Mrs J Luckhurst - School Secretary

PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

As we start a new school year the PFA welcomes all the new parents and their sons to the school and we look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks and months. We are always looking for new members to serve on the PFA committee, especially parents of new boys, and we would be very pleased if any of you would like to volunteer to come and join us.
The next committee meeting is on Wednesday 13th September at 7.30 pm and the PFA annual meeting is on Tuesday 3rd October, also at 7.30 pm. We hope as many of you as possible will attend the AGM.
The first of our popular Wine and Wisdom evenings of the new school year will be held on Friday 3rd November. More details will be sent to you in due course.
Second-hand uniform as well as new school T-shirts and aprons are on sale after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the School Office.

Mrs J Tutthill - Chairman

PFA 200 CLUB

200 Club: The winners of the August draw were:
1st £25 Mr M Court (177), 2nd £15 Mrs S Greenland (81) and 3rd £10 Mr R Stevenson (46)

Mrs P Brown - 200 Club Secretary

OLD PHAROSIANS

The association's annual meeting, football match and dinner will be held at the school on Saturday 23rd September when Phil Janaway, who was at the school from 1943 to 1952, is due to be elected as our new President, succeeding the Rev. John Philpott. We look forward to a successful day.
The annual cricket match between the Old Pharosians and the school's 1st XI in the summer resulted in a 54-run victory for the old boys.

Mr G Tutthill

SPORTS NEWS

Cricket Reports
YEAR 7: The first match was a friendly against Sir Roger Manwood's (SRM) from Sandwich. After batting first we had scored 99 to 5 after 20 overs. Initially after some useful bowling, their first 3 wickets falling for 15 runs, their middle order batsmen scored over 40 runs and it looked as though we would lose the match. However, we rallied and managed to hold them to a draw after 20 overs. SRM had scored 93 for 7.
A competent win was secured against Harvey G.S., at home. They scored only 40 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. In our reply we had 5 overs to spare, scoring 41 for 7 wickets.
With a weakened side, in the return game against Harvey they proved too strong for us and scored 87 for 8. We managed only 53 runs for 7 wickets in reply.
Two good wins were recorded against Norton Knatchbull G S, Ashford and Homewood School, Tenterden.
Competent captaining from Greg Hill and able support from David Oxenham have helped the team's overall performance.
Mr M Grant - Subject Leader for P.E.
YEAR 8: This year has been quite successful for the year side having got to the 4th round of the cup and beating Year 9.
In the first game against Sir Roger Manwood's (away) we fielded first and restricted SRM to 76 for 7 from 20 overs. Richard Haywood took three wickets. When we batted we scored the runs required easily ending up with 77 for 4 off 14 overs with Mark Farthing top scoring not out.
In the first cup game against Homewood School (home) we batted first, scoring 86 for 2 from 20 overs with Stephen King scoring the top score for the season with 36 runs. We bowled well, Homewood scoring 63 for 9 off 20 overs with Stephen King taking 4 wickets.
The next match against Kent College was another 20 over cup match. We bowled first containing them to 75 for 7 with Richard Haywood and Gareth Hewer getting 2 wickets each. We started our innings not knowing how tight this game would be. We ended up on 76 for 4 off 19 overs with Gareth and Michael Marsh getting the winning partnership with 31 runs between them.
Against Simon Langton in the 4th round of the county cup we bowled first and did well to hold them to 63 for 8 off 25 overs. Mark Farthing got 3 wickets. When we batted we all had a bad day apart from James Brannan top scoring with 13 runs. We ended up 59 all out.
With our cup run over we decided to start bowling everyone we could every game. We played Norton Knatchbull where we bowled first and bowled surprisingly well holding them to 89 for 6 off 20 overs with Tom Landman and Stephen O'Brien taking 2 wickets each. When we batted we changed the order around and struggled but Olly Mayes top scored with 25 not out and we finally lost by 7 runs.
When we played Astor we had only ten men. We won easily holding them to 56 for 5 off 15 overs with Tom Landman and Stephen O'Brien taking another two wickets each. We batted well with Joffy Towe top scoring with 20 runs and we eventually won off 13 overs.
Our next game against Harvey G.S. we won with two Year 7s in our side. Bowling Stephen O'Brien got 3 wickets and we held them to 83 for 7 off 20 overs. Stephen O'Brien carried on with his good day by scoring 28 runs as we ended up on 84 for 5 off 20 overs.
In our final game against Year 9 we beat them convincingly by scoring 108 runs for 4 wickets off 20 overs. Year 7, Andy Arter, hit a great six off Richard Trenowden's bowling. We decided to give them a chance and stupidly gave them 48 extras.
The side would like to thank Mr Burkert for his help.

Steven King - 9PT

YEAR 9: The season started with our cup match against St Edmund's, played in the pouring rain. The rain meant reduced overs. St Edmund's scored an impressive 54 for 2. Our reply was a weak 27 for 4.
Our first friendly match was against Astor. They scored only 26 with Richard Horsler taking 5 wickets in 11 deliveries. John Stokes then hit the winning runs as we had lost 6 wickets.
Our next match saw us at Sir Roger Manwood's. They batted first and scored 184 for 4 with 2 wickets for Richard Horsler and 2 run outs. Our reply was only 66 runs with Richard Trenowden scoring 24.
The next match was against Norton Knatchbull. We batted first scoring a weak 26. They achieved this in 6 overs with John Stokes taking 2 wickets.
The team then played the Year 8 team who scored 103 for 3 in 20 overs, in reply we only managed 98 for 8. This was a poor season for the team with only 1 win and 4 defeats.
Our thanks go to Mr Michaels for coaching the side this year.
Members of the Year 9 Cricket Team
YEAR 10: Tuesday 16th May saw the Year 10 cricket side travel to enjoy the excellent hospitality of Sir Roger Manwood's School.
Dover won the toss (the only thing they did win that day) and elected to field first. This was an error on a dull pitch that only started to gain life as Dover's turn to bat came around. SRM made light work of our bowlers who failed to get any movement out of the pitch, putting on an impressive 107-5 in their allotted 20 overs.
After a good tea, put on by SRM's Sixth Form, SRM found some life in the pitch and quickly made light work of the Dover openers, Mark Artis going for 2 and Matthew Carley (Captain) a golden duck! A batting collapse that even a poor England side on a bad day could struggle to better followed with a total of 3 more ducks for David Percival, Steven Horsler and Richard Horsler. Only Ben Vick (1), Steven Hornsey (4), Ben Clutton (1), Matthew Thomas (3) and Luke Cassidy (6) put up any resistance at all. We were all out for 20 with extras accounting for 3 of those. A poor loss by 87 runs.
Tuesday 6th June was the first chance that the Year 10 team had to answer their critics after the heavy defeat by SRM's. We played St Edmund's.
Dover lost the toss and St. Edmund's elected to bat. They started poorly losing wickets early on and struggling to score off the inconsistent bowling of Dover. They managed to bat out their 20 overs for the loss of only 8 wickets but of their 55 runs only half were scored with the bat, our bowling gifting them 27 in extras. With the ball John Stokes 'playing up' from the Year 9 team fared best with 4 overs 2 maidens 2 for 3.
Other bowlers were Cameron Ward 4 overs 1 maiden 1 for 7, Steven Horsler 4 overs 0 maidens 3 for 10, Ben Clutton 3 overs 1 maiden 1 for 8, Ben Vick 2 overs 1 maiden 0 for 8 and Steven Hornsey 1 over 0 maidens 0 for 5. Catches fell for Ben Clutton and Matthew Carley who also got a run out.
With the bat we fared much better. Captain Carley opened well with 18 with one 4 getting out to a rushed shot as the first of the showers arrived. Hornsey also gave a good account of himself with 13, Ben Vick thrashed out a quick 7, whilst Cameron Ward scored 1, Stokes followed up his good bowling performance with a competent 2 not out whilst David Percival got the winning runs with 11 not out including 2 fours. With 4 extras the scoring was rounded off at 56-4 off 10.2 overs.
A much more satisfactory 6-wicket victory to leave us played 2 won 1 lost 1.
For our final game of the season we travelled the short distance across the road to play Astor on their artificial pitch.
We started well by losing the toss but Astor decided to bat first with only 8 players on a pitch that would not change.
Grammar then took the bull by the horns led by Cameron Ward, who with the first ball of the match ran out Merrils. Cameron then rounded off the first over with a hat-trick. The first was Cloke, caught by keeper Carley; the second was Walker clean bowled. Gidalla then came in to face the hat-trick ball and duly succumbed also clean bowled. This left Gibbs and Austin in for Astor who managed to steady the ship putting on 38 for the fifth wicket before Gibbs fell to Percival, bowled for 7. Austin was next to go on Astor's half-century, bowled by Clutton for 12. Last man out was Millard who was bowled by Townend for a duck. Astor were all out for 51.
Our performance in the field was a satisfactory one with our bowlers taking most of the credit; their figures were as follows:
Ward 3 overs 1 maiden 4 for 7, Artis 1 over 0 for 3, Craggs 1 over 0 for 12, Hornsey 1 over 0 for 6, Clutton 2 overs I maiden 1 for 2, Horsler 1 over 0 for 7, Percival 1 over 1 for 4, Townend 0.3 overs 1 for 1.
The only disappointment was the amount of extras we gave away as we learnt how to play the artificial crease, 27 extras accounting for over half of the Astor total.
We then went in to bat knowing the task in front of us. Cassidy and Vick opted to open for us. Capitalising on some lax bowling the fours started flowing but we got a little too eager to finish Astor off and Cassidy fell to a catch when going to the boundary for 4. Vick and Clutton then saw out the innings scoring 54 off 5 overs with 4 4's and a 6 making up Vick's total of 22 not out and 3 4's in Clutton's 15 not out. 19 extras made up the rest of our 60 off 7 overs. Excellent scoring all round capping off a very enjoyable win over our local rivals.

Mr K Onions - PE Department

XI CRICKET: This year only one league and cup game was able to take place due to dreadful weather, even by British standards.
Our only league game was against a very strong Simon Langton. Fielding first we bowled a tight line, with good bowling from Dean Scoggins and Adrian Bailes. Langton were all out for 140. This was a very ordinary total and one which gave us every chance of winning. Unfortunately it is very rarely we both bat and field well. Facing a Kent U17 opening bowler we never got started, being bowled out for 51. There was, after this performance, room for improvement.
Our next game was in the cup away to Harvey and proved a very frustrating result. Batting first on a slow wicket we reached 100 all out. Harvey scored 29 for one off their first ten overs when rain stopped play. Under cup rules, if rain stops play the team who had the highest score after 10 overs will be deemed the winner. We had scored 26 runs after 10 overs, not knowing this rule would apply when batting. It was a disappointing end to what could have been a good game.
The Old Pharosians game took place at home on the lower field on what some might call a cricket pitch, but for people who have played on it is a minefield and simply not good enough for players to develop their game. Bravely batting first the Old Boys posted 140 for 4. Our batting again let us down, but Joffy Towe batted valiantly to score 15 as we failed to get over a hundred.
The final match of the season was against the staff. This was to prove the best and most enjoyable game of the season. The staff batted first against a weakened first eleven team. After 25 overs the staff reached 130, although three teachers did manage to get golden ducks!
A solid start was made by Jamie Towe and Darren Piper, but wickets started to fall at regular intervals. However, Geoff Keen made 38, being well supported by Jeremy Childs and a boys win looked on the cards. However the staff struck back leaving us just 5 short of the required total. Hopefully this game will become an annual fixture.
Next season we can hope for better weather and hopefully a win.

Ritchie Hulks - Head Prefect

INTER HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Inter House shield was won overall by Channel House. Kevin Doughty as House Captain received the shield in final assembly.

STAFF vs. PREFECTS CRICKET MATCH

The annual match between the staff and prefects was played on Thursday 20th July at the Crabble Ground and proved to be a close and enjoyable match. Batting first the staff made 112-9 in 25 overs, with useful contributions from Mr Corless (20), Mr Michaels (18), Mr Ralph (16), Mr Grant (15) and Mr Falconer (12). Unfortunately four other members of staff collected ducks, two becoming candidates for the "primary club" by being out to their first ball!
The prefects (who were really the first XI) batted stoutly against some hostile bowling from Mr Ralph and Mr Grant (who each took two wickets), backed up by Mr Corless, Mr Falconer and Mr Michaels. Geoff Keen, with 38 (to follow his 3 wickets), played the best innings of the day and whilst he was at the crease the prefects were in with a good chance, but when he fell to Mr Burkert's third catch behind the stumps (to go with two stumpings) the prefects fell just short and the staff won by some 5 runs.

Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

SPORTS FIXTURES

Sat. 8th Sept. 1.15 - 1.55 pm. Year 7 Football Trials for school team.
Wed. 20th Sept. 2.30 pm (Home) 2nd XI -v- St George's School.
Sat. 23rd Sept. 8.45 am - 1.00 pm. District Schools' 7-a-Side Tournament at Castle Community School, Deal. Years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11.
Wed. 27th Sept. 2.30 pm (Away) 3rd XI -v- Harvey GS
1st XI East Kent League Premier Division
Wed. 13th Sept. 2.30 pm (Home) -v- Oakwood Park GS 
Sat. 23rd Sept. 2.30 pm (Home) -v- Old Pharosians
Cup Game - White Cup
Wed. 27th Sept. 3.00 pm (Home) -v- St Gregory's

TABLE TENNIS

Year 7 House Matches
This year I am going to start the house matches between the four houses in Year 7 immediately. The first few weeks will be put aside to coach pupils wishing to take part. They will be introduced to the rules and regulations to bring them up to a standard allowing match play.
The coaching and house matches will take place in the gymnasium at lunch break between 13.05 and 13.50, so alternative arrangements will have to be made for lunch.
Adequate footwear i.e. trainers or plimsolls must be used as well as a dark shirt. (PE shirts in house colours are fine).
The tables will have to be erected and removed before and after each session by the players, so prompt arrival is essential. Bats and balls will be supplied for any players who do not have their own, but any player with their own bat would be advised to bring it.
The coaching and match play is limited to 12 players each session as we only have room for three tables.
All players in Year 7 wishing to take part should inform their form tutor. 
Table Tennis League
This year the school has 8 teams in the now extended 3 division league of Dover and District. One team in the "A" division, three in the "B" and four in the "C".
Matches will be played, either after school (if acceptable by both teams) or in the evenings from 19.30 or earlier (again if acceptable by both teams) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
After school practice, for team members ONLY will commence next Tuesday 12th at 15.25 in the gym. The Dover Table Tennis league will start the following Monday 18th. I suggest all players who put their names down to play last school term practice before their first match. Matches will be played against Dover Police, Dover Fire Brigade, Whitfield, Dover Harbour Board, Sandwich, Eastry, etc. as well as other Grammar School teams. Two new teams in the league this year are as yet of unknown strength. In the "C" division, Tower Hamlets, playing in the scout hut near the entrance to the bottom school gate, and Trojan "B" in the "B" division playing from Walmer village hall.
The fees this year for registering each team into the league is £34 and MUST be paid before the first match is played. The school is prepared to subsidise the fees, but I will again be asking for a donation of £5 per pupil/player and £10 per adult/non school pupil player, to be paid to me before their first match.
This year we will be playing on new tables and under the new I.T.T.A. rules with the new 40mm balls.
I look forward to seeing all players for a friendly warm up next Tuesday.

Paul K Skelton

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Guest Evening (Upper School):
Friday 15th September at 7.30 pm
Governing Body Annual Parents' Report / Concert:
Wednesday 11th October at 7.00 pm
Staff Development Days during the Autumn Term: 
Monday 4th September
Thursday 19th October
Friday 20th October
Half Term: Monday 23rd - Friday 27th October
(inclusive)
Middle School Prizegiving:
Thursday 9th November at 4.00 pm