THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2003 No. 99

STAFF CHANGES

As we start the Spring Term we would like to welcome Mr Gary Potter as Assistant Headteacher. Mr Potter is a graduate of the University of East Anglia and has joined us from the Weald of Kent Grammar School for Girls. Mr Potter has replaced Mr Giles Falconer who has taken up the post of Deputy Headteacher at Carre's Grammar School in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
We also said goodbye to Mrs Lesley Taylor, Teacher of English. Mrs Taylor has been replaced by Mr Terence Carroll who is a graduate of the Open University and has taught at Dover College and, more recently, at Dover Grammar School for Girls.
Headteacher

NEWS OF TWO EX-PUPILS

Stevan Riley: Stevan studied French and Ancient History at 'A' Level about ten years ago before going on to read Chinese and then History at University. He has been involved with others in filming and producing a short documentary showing how a group of young people in Croatia survived the war there some years ago and continued to enjoy and make music in spite of the war. The film "Rage Against the Machine" was shown late at night on Channel 4 just before Christmas. Stevan invited Dr Jackson and myself to a private showing of the film at a London cinema on Thursday 12th December prior to its TV broadcast. As I was in London on other business that day I took the opportunity to attend the showing. As always Stevan, who introduced the film to an audience of over 100, spoke very capably and it was good to speak to him afterwards and exchange news.
Keith Parfitt: Keith studied Geography and Ancient History here several years earlier than Stevan and then read Archaeology at Cardiff. Keith appeared on national television on New Year's Day. He remains a very enthusiastic and committed archaeologist here in East Kent, being involved in the Dover Archaeology Group and the Canterbury Archaeology Trust. He was the expert interviewee in Adam Hart Davies' "Top Ten Treasures" of the British Museum about the significance of the finding in 2001 of the Ringlemere Gold Cup of Bronze Age date.
Congratulations to both of them.
Mr B Haines - Subject Leader for Classics

MUSIC

Carol Service
On Wednesday 18th December the school's musicians presented the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Charlton, Dover. The school choir of almost sixty voices supported by the school Brass Ensemble and organ presented an adventurous programme of fourteen carols ranging in style from mediaeval to twentieth century, interspersed with six favourite Christmas hymns for all to sing. The nine Bible readings telling the Christmas story were read by pupils - Alex Borlase, James Spencer and Head Prefect Cameron Ward - together with representatives from the staff, Old Pharosians, parents and Governing Body. The service was a great success in every way and thanks are due to all who sent in mince pies for the refreshments in the Church Hall after the service, to Mrs Cynthia Sinclair of Charlton Church who arranged the candles and to the Rev. Nick De Keyser for conducting the service. All the musicians who took part were presented with a Music Department Certificate of Representation in recognition of their excellent performance.

Big Band
On Thursday 5th December the school's Big Band took part in Dover Music Centre's Christmas Concert in Dover Town Hall. A set of three contrasting pieces, two new to the Band's repertoire, closed the first half of the evening and were enthusiastically received by an appreciative audience.

Grade Examinations
Congratulations are due to two more of our students who passed practical music examinations at the end of last term:
Arian Beqiri Grade 3 Flute
David Buhler Grade 5 Cello with Distinction
Mr R Davies - Director of Music

MATHS CORNER

Results: Last month's Maths Corner created a flurry of interest. The 'Ticket to Ride' problem produced just two fully correct solutions, each accompanied by some excellent written analysis. Though different in approach, both solutions, received almost simultaneously, were very impressive. We have decided to award a joint prize this month, so our congratulations and £10 go to Miss Emma Walker and Mr Daniel Knox.
Last Month's Solution: The whole problem revolves about the answers I give to the two questions. Question 1 was whether any digit appeared more than twice when I looked at both the tickets together. Question 2 was whether the digits on either ticket totalled thirteen. If I'd answered 1 - Yes, 2 - Yes, then 252 ticket pairs would have been possible, so my friend could not know the ticket numbers for certain. Similarly, had I answered 1 - Yes, 2 - No, then 3 ticket pairs would have been possible, whereas had I answered 1 - No, 2 - Yes, then 152 ticket pairs would have satisfied my responses. Only if I had replied 1 - No, 2 - No, could my friend have been absolutely certain of the ticket numbers as only one possible pair is produced, that of 1299 and 1300.
Congratulations are once again due to our two winners and to all those others who 'had a go'.
January's Puzzle: We have a particularly fishy tale to get your New Year underway. As usual, a bottle of wine, or the cash equivalent for minors, to the sender of the first fully correct solution received by the end of this month.
On Golden Pond. Harry the Halibut and Percy the Pike live in a perfectly circular lake. They swim at the same speed, only travel in straight lines and, when they turn, always turn at right angles. From the same point on the edge of the lake, Harry swam due north, whereas Percy swam in a direction between east and north. After an hour Harry reached the edge of the lake and turned right at the very same moment as Percy also turned right. Thirty minutes later Percy reached the lake's edge and fifteen minutes after that Harry again reached the edge of the lake. Percy took a fifteen-minute break before deciding to embark upon the longest straight-line swim possible without reaching the edge of the lake. In what direction should Percy travel?
Maths Department

SCHOOL LIBRARY NEWS

Happy New Year to you all.
Our collection of the Nestle Box Top Cereal Vouchers continues until April. A steady flow has been received but more are still required. For those who are not already familiar with the scheme, each voucher is worth 10p. These are collected and batched into tens and sent off in bulk. At the end of April the school will receive a cheque that enables the Library to buy a selection of new fiction titles. Every voucher helps!!
Many thanks for your support.
Mrs L George - School Librarian

SCHOOL WEBSITE

The latest addition to the school website are a number of photographs from the 1940s. They show the entire school role from 1946, 1947 and 1948 and more photographs are planned to be shown as time allows. Over each face is a 'hot spot' and when the cursor is placed over each of these the name of the member of staff, or pupil, (if known) is displayed. It is hoped as time progresses that Old Boys of the school will be able to put names to faces in the pictures.
If any Old Pharosians or ex-staff has any further archive material I would be very interested in hearing from you.
The site can be found at http://dovergrammar.co.uk
Mr P Skelton

PFA

It's the start of another year. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed the New Year celebrations.
In 2002 the PFA with a great deal of support from you raised a lot of funds for the school with the final event of the year being the Christmas draw.
The sum raised was £1100 which was less than last year and therefore a little disappointing.
I understand about the demands made on everyone's money throughout the year and there comes a time when you have to draw the line. However, I would urge you to try and support as many school fund raising events this year as possible as all the money raised is used to support your child in one way or another. By taking part in a fund raising event of making a small donation will make a vast difference. All fund raising activities will be advertised in the First Thursday newsletters.
All that remains to be said is thank you for all the support you gave throughout 2002. Lets make 2003 even more successful.
The next committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 5th February and everyone will be most welcome.
Christmas Draw Winners:
1st Mr J Langford £100
2nd Mr W Cockings £ 50
3rd Mr S A Hawkins £ 25
4th Kieran Martin £ 10
5th Joshua Reay £ 10
6th Mrs J Storey £ 10
7th Mrs Dundon-Smith £ 10
8th Craig Higgins £ 10
9th Mrs Kelly £ 10
10th Ann Jarvis £ 10
The form prize of £100 was awarded to 7Channel for selling the most tickets.
Mrs J Gambrell - Chairman

PFA 200 CLUB

December Draw: The special prize of £100 was won by Mrs C Stone (84).
1st £25 Mrs Savage (15). 2nd £15 Mr Williams (116) 3rd £10 Ms Cockings (103).

CHRISTIAN UNION

The Christian Union will meet every Friday lunchtime at 1.25 pm in Room L7. Everyone is welcome.
For more details please contact John-Neal Roberts in Form 13L.
John-Neal Roberts - Form 13L

WORKSHOPS

The Workshops will be open every day next week, except Tuesday, from 13.10 to 13.45 for any pupil in Years 7, 8 and 9 who was taught by myself last year. This is to enable anyone who wishes to complete their CDT project if it hasn't already been completed. Further days may be added if this is necessary but unless I am instructed otherwise all unfinished work will be scraped after Friday 17th January.
Mr P Skelton

SPORTS NEWS

Below is a summary of the football matches played over the past 4 weeks.

KENT CUP Round 4
Year 10 V T Wells won 3 - 2

KENT CUP Quarter Final
Year 8 V QES won 2 - 1

EAST KENT U 19 PREMIER LEAGUE
1st X1 Versus Howard drew 3 - 3

KENT U 19 WHITE CUP Semi Final
1st X1 Versus Maidstone GS won 3 - 2

Overall Statistics for Season
All 42 matches
Won 30
Drew 4
Lost 8
Goals AVERAGE SCORE 5 - 2
For 201
Against 84

Notes
Year 10 played Tunbridge Wells in the 4th Round of the Kent Cup. In freezing cold weather on a very small, badly sloping quagmire of a pitch both teams found it hard to get any rhythm. Dover always dominated the game but the very muddy conditions made it hard to pass accurately. Robert Hill and David Oxenham scored some good goals as Dover took a commanding 3 - 0 lead. Late in the game Tunbridge broke twice and scored on each occasion. Dover hung on for the win and should have won by a much bigger margin. Hopefully the team will get the goals they deserve against Hereson on Saturday in the Quarter Final.
Men of the Match James Chainey and Jamie Phillips
The 1st X1 did the impossible - coming from behind to beat Maidstone GS 3 - 2 in the U19 Semi Final. An amazing result.
After going down very early Peter McCarvill converted a superb penalty and then scored from an unbelievable free kick from 25 metres. Peter curled the ball into the top left hand corner giving the keeper no chance.
Less than 10 minutes later Craig Jacobs scored a wonderful goal following a great solo run straight into their area.
Maidstone came back late into the game with their 2nd but never looked like drawing. The Dover defence was rock solid amidst a barrage of attacks. Once again Ben Clutton was majestic in the defence and never looked like being beaten. Ryan Doel played an inspired game. His tackling was immense - leading to several Maidstone players being substituted due to injuries. Robbie Guy's tackling was also very powerful.
Man of the Match Peter McCarvill
The 1st X1 have now qualified for the English Schools Cup Competition. Their 1st match will be a home tie against the Surrey champions.

KENT SCHOOLS RUGBY ASSOCIATION

Last Term Paul Cairns was also selected to play for the County following many trials. Well done Paul and good luck for the season.


Calendar of known fixtures for this Term
Date Year H/A Fixture Round Opponents Time

Jan 11 Yr 8 A Football Kent Cup S Final Howard School 10.30am
Jan 11 Yr 10 H Football Kent Cup Q Final Hereson 10.30am
Jan 18 Yr 9 A Football Kent Cup Q Final Charles Darwin 10.30am
Jan 25 1st X1 H Football ESFA Cup Round 1 Surrey Champions 10.30am
Feb 8 Yr 10 A Football Kent Cup S Final ???? 10.30am
Feb 15 Yr 9 H Football Kent Cup S Final ???? 10.30am
Jan 23 All Yrs A Cross Country League Race 1 at Astor 3.45pm
Feb 4 All Yrs A Cross Country League Race 2 at Polo, Folkestone 4.00pm
Feb 12 All Yrs A Cross Country League Race 3 at Brockhill 4.00pm
Mar 4 Yr 7 H Rugby District League Group Astor 4.00pm
Mar 4 Yr 9 A Rugby District League Group Astor 4.00pm
Mar 5 Yr 11 H Rugby District League Group Archers Court 4.00pm
Mar 6 Yr 10 A Rugby District League Group Castle 4.00pm
Mar 6 Yr 8 H Rugby District League Group Archers Court 4.00pm
Mar 11 Yr 7 H Rugby District League Group Walmer 4.00pm
Mar 11 Yr 9 A Rugby District League Group Walmer 4.00pm
Mar 12 Yr 11 H Rugby District League Group Norton Knatchbull 4.00pm
Mar 12 1st X1 A Friendly Simon Langton 2.30pm
Mar 13 Yr 8 A Rugby District League Group Sir Roger Manwoods 4.00pm
Mar 13 Yr 10 H Rugby District League Group Norton Knatchbull 4.00pm
Mar 18 Yr 9 H Rugby District League Group St Edmunds 4.00pm
Mar 19 Yr 11 A Rugby District League Group Brockhill 4.00pm
Mar 20 Yr 10 A Rugby District League Group Sir Roger Manwoods 4.00pm
Mar 20 Yr 8 H Rugby District League Group St Edmunds 4.00pm
Mar 25 Yr 7 A Rugby District League Group St Edmunds 4.00pm
Mar 25 Yr 9 H Rugby District League Group St Edmunds 4.00pm
Mar 27 Yr 8 A Rugby District League Group Norton Knatchbull 4.00pm
Apr 1 Yr 7 A Rugby District League Group Norton Knatchbull 4.00pm
Apr 1 Yr 9 H Rugby District League Group Brockhill 4.00pm
Apr 3 Yr 8 H Rugby District League Group Sir Roger Manwoods 4.00pm
Apr 8 Yr 7 A Rugby District League Play Off ??? 4.00pm
Apr 8 Yr 9 A Rugby District League Play Off ??? 4.00pm
Apr 9 Yr 11 A Rugby District League Play Off ??? 4.00pm
Apr 10 Yr 8 A Rugby District League Play Off ??? 4.00pm
Apr 10 Yr 10 A Rugby District League Play Off ??? 4.00pm

Reminders
Next week all rugby clubs commence, please read notice boards for times
Rugby District Leagues start at start of March with Finals in April
Cross Country Leagues start on January 23rd. Teams will be selected during lessons over next 2 weeks.

Update on Dover Football League
I would like to point out some facts relating to why we pulled out of this and the implications.
The Dover League consisted of a maximum of 6 matches against local schools during the 1st half term only
Most Year groups played the 1st 3 games, Year 8 missed one game due to a clash with a County Cup match
Castle cancelled all our matches with them 1 day before they were due to be played after I had ordered 2 coaches
The following week Astor were unable to play any of their matches due to clashes with their Kent Cup fixtures
The only games that I pulled our teams out of were those against Archers Court which were to take place in the last week before half term
There are no trophies for this league
Most of the matches were and are meaningless because of weak opposition
Our teams are better off without these matches for many reasons - poor opposition; short matches; players going out of position to try and get on the score sheet; and most importantly, lost time in which to play better opponents.
This is our most successful season with 4 school teams reaching Quarter Final stages or better - none have missed out because of missing a game against Archers Court. The other matches missed could not be replayed because of the lack of time within the League framework.
Next year the school teams will have a fixture list against all good schools within East Kent. These games will complement the Kent Cup and will provide a progression in standards.
It is anticipated that all year groups will have a similar fixture list for rugby as well. The problems arise after half term when matches will have to be played on Saturday mornings. If there is enough support for this a fixture list will be organised.

Football Development Matches

Each of the four year groups still in the Kent Cups are involved in Development matches against weaker teams from the year above. It is hoped that the best possible preparation will be given to each team in these late stages of the Cups. This may result in slight team changes but this is necessary if we are reach County Finals. For the sake of players in the squads this is a crucial part of final preparations. Competition for places is a healthy way of raising standards. The U19 team have fought for places all term and this led to a great surge in form when it mattered. Remember 16 medals are available if the team reaches a Final whilst none will be available if the team doesn't get there! Next year these development matches will be an integral part of each term.

Breaking News

The U19 Kent Cup Final has been scheduled for Thursday April 3rd at Crabble. Kick off will be 7.00pm.
Dover Athletics' Bar will be open and their Burger Van will be selling hot food on the night.
Tickets will cost £3 per adult and £1 for school children.
We hope to see the Stadium packed for this occasion!
All further arrangements and details will appear in the next First Thursday

Mr W Howe - Subject Leader for Physical Education

FOOTBALL REPORT by Mr M Grant, P E Department

Year 8 Kent County Cup Quarter Final - Saturday 14th December
DGSB 2 -v- Q.E.S. Faversham 1

Overall this was an excellent performance with two good goals being scored in the second half. Playing uphill in the first half we conceded a fairly easy goal which in fact was probably after hand contact. During the second half the side looked altogether better with an excellent goal being scored early on in the second half by Calum McGeehan.
Some excellent defence, particularly from John Ellender, saw a fine goal from a Nick Blackman header after a free kick. Michael Magrino made some outstanding saves.
We now go on to play The Howard School who we met in last year's final. Our semi-final takes place away at The Howard School, Gillingham, on Saturday 11th January, 10.30 am kick off.

TABLE TENNIS Mr P Skelton

The Table Tennis Ladder League will start next Tuesday 14th January in the Gym from 13.10 to 13.45. This term it will be open to any member of Years 7, 8 or 9 who wish to play, and who have the correct kit. Correct kit includes a dark coloured shirt, plimsolls or trainers, and shorts or tracksuit bottoms. This term, due to the numbers the ladder league is likely to attract, there will be no exceptions regarding the above dress code.
As last year anyone wishing to play will be allocated a number. All numbers will be drawn at random. The first two numbers will play each other and the third will be responsible for scoring the match. The match will be one leg, the first to 11 points. (No two clear points rule, so the first to reach 11 being the winner). Each player will serve twice before passing the serves over to his opponent. When the first player reaches five points the two players change ends.
The winner of each match will be allocated three points, the loser will be allocated two points and the scorer, one point. Three tables will be available to play on, and I am confident that we can accommodate up to 40 players in this league and guarantee each player to play a minimum of three games between 13.10 and 13.45.
Please make alternative arrangements for your lunch.