THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2001 No. 85

GUEST EVENING - 14th September 2001

A packed hall of parents, teachers and friends said 'goodbye' to the record breaking students from last year's Year 13 at the traditional guest evening event.
Mr Denis Doble, President of the Old Pharosians, was the guest of honour and Mr John Turnpenny of the Dubris Trust made presentations to four students.
Nick Hayward, the current Head Prefect, was Master of Ceremonies and a varied selection of music, jazz, classical and rock, was introduced by the Director of Music, Mr R S Davies.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NOAH'S ARK ROAD

It seems time for a reminder to those parents who bring their sons to school. Given the restricted access at the top gate it would be helpful if all pupils could be dropped off and collected at the bottom gate.
In addition it may be worth reminding all drivers that the school hill is 'out of bounds' to car drivers at the busy periods every morning and afternoon (i.e. 08.15-08.45 and 15.20-15.50).
Thank you.
Mr G M Falconer - Assistant Headteacher

MOBILE PHONES

In July 2000 the Department for Education and Employment notified all schools about the potential dangers of mobile phones and urged all schools to restrict their use by under-16s. This advice, based on the government commissioned Stewart Report concerns the dangers of radiation on growing brains and recommends that the use of mobile phones by under-16s should be restricted to emergencies only.
This is completely in line with the school policy on mobile phones. To re-iterate, whilst we understand that many parents may wish to provide their sons with mobile phones for reasons connected with their safety, we insist that they are switched off during the school day and are not used at school.
This has become an issue on occasions due to the serious misuse of mobile phones by a few pupils, including the making of hoax and malicious calls. This is not only against school rules but may also be illegal. Anyone behaving in such a way cannot expect to be allowed to continue to bring a phone to school.
We would therefore ask for the support of all parents in ensuring that their sons use their phones in line with the Government health advice given above. It should also be noted that all mobile phones should be insured and that they are only brought to school at their owner's risk.
Headteacher

TOP MARKS FOR DGSB

Stuart Inglis, 13PT, achieved 100% in all his AS Level modules for Politics becoming the top Politics student in the country.
Congratulations Stuart.
Mr M Harrison - Subject Leader for Economics / Business Studies / Politics

WORK EXPERIENCE QUALITY AWARD
Friday 12th October

Over the past eighteen months the School has been collating information about the procedures used for its work experience schemes. The portfolio of evidence that has resulted from this was put forward for a Kent and Medway Education Business Alliance Quality Award for Work Experience. 
At the end of last term we were pleased to hear that the School has become one of the first schools in the Dover area to gain this award. In recognition of this event a presentation ceremony will be held on Friday 12th October from 10.00-11.00 am at which the certificate will be presented to the School by Mr Gwyn Prosser MP. 
The award ceremony will be followed by light refreshments. Any parents who would like to attend would be most welcome.
Mrs G M Saville - Work Experience Co-ordinator

YEAR 7 TRIP TO WEST STOW SAXON VILLAGE
Friday 21st September

Most of Year 7 went on the above trip to West Stow, a recreated Saxon village in Suffolk. The journey was supposed to take between two to three hours but ended up taking three and a quarter! When we got there we split into two groups, Priory and Channel, and Port and Castle.
Priory and Channel first of all went and watched a short video about the history of West Stow. Then they went to the recreated Saxon houses and looked around. In some houses there were lit fires and beds that weren't terribly comfortable. In one house there were some looms and sheepskins. They weren't sure what Saxon houses were like so they experimented with different kinds of houses to see which worked. There were sunken feature houses, wattle and daub and wooden houses with pits underneath. After this we went to the museum where inside there were artefacts and "hands-on areas". In this area we could feel Saxon pottery and we could try on a helmet and Saxon shoes.
The other group did the same but in reverse order so that we were not a big mass of people. 
It was an all round good day, a nice change from school.
Written by Freddie Reay and Philip Witty - Year 7

GEOGRAPHY FIELDWORK
Monday 24th / Tuesday 25th September

On Monday 24th September the Geography Department began two days of AS level fieldwork by carrying out a village survey of Capel-le-Ferne between Dover and Folkestone.
The survey involved the students examining buildings and their features in order to build up a detailed picture of the geography of the village. It may allow students to study, for example, whether Capel is a typical village. Many of the villagers were intrigued by our activities and some even gave the students a potted history of Capel in the process.
The following day the group travelled to Camber Sands in East Sussex to carry out a number of transects along the sand dunes. Camber Sands is a popular destination for tourist visitors who themselves put pressure on the nature sand dune ecosystem. The study at Camber will allow students to examine how man manages such ecosystems and preserves them for future generations.
We were blessed with good weather on both days, which made a huge difference in the data collection process. Now the students will produce a focused investigation on either Capel or Camber Sands which will provide them with the opportunity to develop vital key skills.
Mr B T Ralph - Geography

ART & DESIGN DEPARTMENT

As part of the Art and Design Department's increasingly strong working relationship with Dover District Council, the Department was exclusively invited to mount a display of our pupils' artwork. This was part of the Council's and The National Trust's joint Wild Weekend Festival held at Langdon Cliffs, Dover over the weekend of 22nd/23rd September 2001. A selection of our multi-award winning (last academic year) Year 13 group's work was shown. All the paintings were of a local theme, in keeping with the Festival's theme which was local environmental issues.
The pupils whose work was exhibited were Ashley Bostock, David Parish, Robert Kennett and Lee Kembrey. Extremely warm praise was heaped on the exhibitors.
Mr S M Almond - Subject Leader for Art & Design

YEARS 12 & 13 VISIT TO PARLIAMENT AND INNS OF COURT

At 8.00 am on Friday 28th September fifty two young academics sat down waiting to embark on a trip that even previous sixth formers could only have dreamed of. We were going where the streets were paved in gold and loveable cockneys - we were off to London.
On arriving in London the group's first task was a trip around the Houses of Parliament. Someone knew DGSB were on their way, a bomb scare was taking place, and our visit was to take a setback. After a quick peek at Downing Street and a gulp of expensive coffee the trip was steered back on course. Mr Harrison's leadership skills were highlighted as he frog marched the sixth form rabble over a series of treacherous road crossings, in time for a talk with the Shadow Home Secretary. A short summary of the life of an MP and a questions and answer session later and we were having a guided trip around the Houses of Parliament. The group was split into 'dirty dozens' and given the opportunity to learn the 'ins' and 'outs' of democracy within the United Kingdom.
It was now well into the afternoon and time for phase two of the expedition. There were three options, a trip to the Tate Modern, the National Science Museum or to Lincoln's Inn of Court. Those with aspirations for a career in Law, or a yearning for tea and biscuits joined Mr Crofts' visit to Lincoln's Inn. We viewed the Great Hall and later engaged in a pre-planned discussion with a distinguished Old Pharosian. Mr Anthony Bradley was able to offer a valuable insight into a career in Law after which he took us for tea and biscuits at the Inner Temple. Another bomb scare took place near Charing Cross Station before we embarked on our bus home, both exhausted and exhilarated.
Specials thanks to Mr Thomas, Mr Crofts and Mr Harrison for giving the Sixth Form this opportunity.
Peter Elms - 13PT

UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES

We are very pleased to hear of the following successes among former DGSB students:
University College London
Christopher Coffey - obtained a B.Sc. 2:B degree in Mathematics with Theoretical Physics.
Gavin Martin - obtained a B.Sc. Third in Physics with Space Science.
PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Hi everyone. The next PFA committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 30th October at 7.00 pm in the Headteacher's Study. Everyone is welcome to attend.
A date to mark in your diary is the 16th November when the Wine and Wisdom evening will be held. More details will follow. Wine and Wisdom evenings are a lot of fun and this will be one of our fundraising events of the year so the more who can come the better.
Mrs Joan Gambrell - Chairman

CCF

The Unit has been busy as usual. The Army Section enjoyed a week in camp at Penhale during July, whilst the RAF Section flew up to Lossiemouth in Scotland for their annual summer camp.
We are conducting a recruiting drive during the early part of this term to replace those Cadets who left school at the end of the Summer Term.
We have several events ahead of us in October. Members of the RAF Section are competing in a ground training competition at Uxbridge on the 7th. During half term two activities are taking place at Napier Barracks in Folkestone. One is an NCO Cadre to train Cadets for positions of responsibility, whilst the other event is an adventure training week mainly for our younger Cadets.
Mr D Horsley

OLD PHAROSIANS

Retired Consul General Denis Doble, who was a pupil at our school from 1948 to 1955, was elected President of the Old Boys' Association at the annual meeting on Saturday.
At the start of the meeting, members stood in silence to remember those who had died during the year, including Mrs Lily Turnpenny and Mrs Anne Booth, Mr John Borrett who was a very enthusiastic member of the Old Pharosians and particularly the archive team and Mr Tom Beer who was a former President of the association.
Mr Doble, who succeeded retired school teacher Phil Janaway, served in the Diplomatic Service in Brussels, Lagos, Pakistan, Peru, Bombay and Calcutta retiring as Consul General in Amsterdam where he was guarded by Dutch police against any IRA assassination attempt.
Another former pupil - and former teacher - at the school, Roger Gabriel was elected as Vice-President. Phil Harding was re-elected as secretary, Graham Tutthill (Assistant Secretary), Ian Pascall (Treasurer), Jean Luckhurst (Membership Secretary), Terry Sutton and Graham Tutthill (editors of the newsletter), Peter Burville (Archivist), Neil Beverton (Auditor) and Mick Palmer, Barry Crush and the Rev. John Philpott to the committee.
In the afternoon, the 1st XI football players of 25 years ago returned to play in the annual match between the Old Pharosians and the present 1st XI. The old boys, who were at the school in the 1970s, played for the first twenty minutes - by which time they were 1-0 in the lead - before having to call for substitutes. The Old Pharosians went on to win 4-3, which was some revenge for last year's 8-2 defeat.
At the association's annual dinner the same evening Mr Doble told how he met a number of Old Pharosians while on duty in various part of the world.
The Headmaster expressed his thanks to the Old Pharosians' Association for their support and friendship. 
The dinner was efficiently organised, as usual, by Maurice Smith and once against Forty Years On rang out around the Great Hall.
Mrs Anne Booth: Mrs Booth, who was the widow of our former headteacher, Mr J C Booth, died on Monday 3rd September aged 96. Her husband was Headteacher from 1937 to 1959.
The seventh child of the farm shepherd at the Singleton Estate at Great Chart, sadly, her father died before she was born. But she claimed never to be fatherless because of her five elder brothers. Her mother re-married eventually and the family moved to Charing.
She went into service with the Antonio family for a couple of years but eventually became a sister for the National Children's Homes. In the 1920s she worked in their Boys' Homes in the East End, eventually moving to the Mount NCH Home in Faversham. There she met Cliff, the Headmaster of the local boys' grammar school and they married at Wesley's Chapel in London in August 1935.
Mr Booth became Headmaster of our school and their two sons, John and Richard - who were both to be educated at the school - were born in Dover. When the school was evacuated to Ebbw Vale during the Second World War Mrs Booth became foster mother of other young boys.
Returning to Dover after the war, Mr and Mrs Booth held open house for their many friends. Mrs Booth became a Justice of the Peace and served as such for more than twenty years with spells as Vice-Chairman of the Juvenile Court and Chairman of the Probation Committee. Throughout this time she was also heavily involved in the pastoral side of London Road Methodist Church and the work of Toc H.
Mrs Booth maintained an active interest in the school even after Mr Booth's retirement and subsequent death and was always keen to hear of what was happening here. We extend our sympathy to the family.
The school and the Old Pharosians were represented at the funeral service.

SPORTS NEWS

The following reports have been written by Mr M Grant, Subject Leader for Physical Education

EAST KENT PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Wednesday 12th September :
1st XI 2 -v- 1 Simon Langton 
This was the first match of the season and one that we clearly needed to win.
On a sloping pitch with a cross wind we elected to play uphill. Fierce Langton attacks were generally snuffed out by a strong defence, althogh some errors were made and Jamie Dyer, our keeper, made some good saves.
In the second half we put their defence under a lot of pressure and Kevin Fielding scored a nice goal as a result of a good passing combination. However, Langton put us under some strong attacks and Jamie Dyer made two outstanding saves in the second half keeping out two certain goals.
Our second goal came from another good move culminating in Dean Scoggins beating the keeper and giving us a useful 1st League win.

Wednesday 19th September
1st XI 1 -v- 2 Sir J Williamson's, Rochester
Our first home match of the season kicked off to a good start and saw a goal scored in the first twenty minutes by Jason Laird. Two rather silly incidents then found us two players down and fighting to survive until half time. A changed formation, taking account of our two players short, saw the remaining nine players playing outstanding football to keep the score deficit down to two against us in the second half.
Several chances were missed in the last half of the game - Jason Laird, Kevin Fielding and Peter McCarvill all had chances.
This was a game that we should have won easily with 11 players on the field. We must improve our focus and concentration in the future irrespective of comments from the opposition.

Wednesday 26th September
1st XI 3 -v- 1 Tunbridge Wells G S
Once again we found ourselves away at Tunbridge Wells after a long trip. Tremendous pressure was put on the defence and midfield in the first half and the home side scored their first goal after about 25 minutes of sustained pressure. The team started to put together some useful attacking movements culminating in some very quick footwork and pace by Simon Shepherd who created a fine individual goal out of nothing to put us back on a level footing.
After turning around at half time with some wind and slope advantage we then put Tunbridge Wells under some pressure with some good passing moves and several shots on goal. Kevin Fielding then slotted in an outstanding shot glancing just under the crossbar, the ball being delivered from passing that started in the defence. This put us ahead and further pressure from Tunbridge Wells found our defence being caught for pace several times. However, Kevin Fielding again found some space and slotted in his second goal of the half to round off a good all round team performance.

INTER SCHOOLS DISTRICT LEAGUE

Thursday 27th September
DGSB 7 -v- 2 St Edmunds School
Generally this was another deserved win in the District League. Some excellent goals being scored as a result of competent passing moves and excellent finishing.
Defensive errors were made and need to be eliminated. All players did not talk enough to each other over the duration of the game. We were at our best when combining simple passing moves with players going to space off the ball.

DISTRICT INTER SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT

7-A-SIDE at Castle Community School
Saturday 29th September: A very wet start, which gradually improved, found all five teams playing some useful football. Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 were trying to defend their titles from last year's tournament.
Year 7 won all their matches and all fourteen players are to be commended for their enthusiastic and competent contribution to the team's success.
Year 8 also won all the matches to win their group league.
Year 9 won their group and the Year 11 team won all the matches in their league. 
Once again the Year 10 team proved to be a little unfortunate and drew their first two matches following a similar pattern to the previous year.
This was certainly another successful tournament. I would like to thank all the parents and supporters who turned up to watch and the local referees and the host school Castle Community.

The following reports have been written by Mr K Onions - PE Department

First XV Match Reports 2001
Our first game of the season was in the Daily Mail National Schools Cup competition on Wednesday 19th September. The draw saw us play Maidstone Grammar at Crabble as the new posts on the First XV pitch were not available in time for the game.
With only fifteen players turning up for the game from the twenty two selected we were up against it from the start. After only five minutes Maidstone were able to score a try under the posts after a midfield error gifted them the ball. The conversion was duly slotted home.
Two minutes later good hands from the Maidstone backs stretched Dover wide enabling an overlapping player to score on the left side of the pitch. Again the conversion was good and Dover were trailing 14-0.
Dover then had their best spell of the match camping in the Maidstone 22 metre area for the next thirteen minutes. We won penalty after penalty, took scrums and line-outs against the head, and had the ball over the Maidstone line on three occasions, all to no avail. We were held up on each occasion and when Maidstone managed to desperately fly hack the ball upfield we made a mess of clearing the ball under pressure and from the resulting line-out Maidstone scored their third try. Fortunately this time the conversion was missed. 
Again from the kick-off Maidstone were put under great pressure but Dover lacked that final cutting edge. From a midfield scrum Maidstone managed to take the ball against the head and move it quickly to catch our defence napping and score under the posts for an easily converted 7 points.
It was this disappointment that knocked the stuffing out of the Dover side and two more tries were scored before half time, one of which was converted to leave Dover trailing 38-0 at half time.
With only a 12 point cushion between the home side and conceding 50 points to declare the match won and lost, making the second half last would have been a miracle. Miracles were not in the offing at Crabble that day and within ten minutes the game was over. A converted try in the 38th minute and an unconverted try in the 44th ended our hopes in the cup competition. We now look to the vase in October for our last chance of getting to Twickenham this year.

Year 10 Rugby Reports 2001
An early season trip to London marked our opening match of the year in the National Daily Mail Cup first round at St Dunstan's College.
Still cold from our hour and a quarter road trip and with our minds definitely still in the minibus St. Dunstan's were able to take early possession. After a Dover knock on, on the edge of our own 22metre area, Dunstan's were able to move the ball wide from the scrum to score in the corner in the 5th minute. The acute nature of the angle meant that it was unconverted for a 5-0 lead. 
Seven minutes later Dover were unlucky to go two scores down when a Dunstan's player appeared to knock-on whilst gathering the ball before falling over the try line. This was not the view the referee had. To add insult to injury it was converted for a 12-0 lead.
A further five minutes down the line Dunstan's stretched their lead yet further when good handling in midfield allowed their winger to score under the posts for a converted try and a 19-0 lead.
Dover then woke up and spent the next seven minutes camped in the Dunstan's 22 with drive after drive going towards the line but never managing to breach it. A wayward cross field kick then allowed Dunstan's to break away and despite some excellent cover tackling from Dover they were able to score in the corner off the third phase. Again the angle was too much for their kicker. This left Dunstan's with a 24-point lead at half time.
With some harsh words and some self-belief Dover were a reborn side after the break outplaying St Dunstan's. A minute after the interval Richard Hayward went over on the right side after an excellent maul had driven the Dunstan's pack a full 20 yards down the pitch. Gareth Hewer added the extra points to cut the deficit 24-7.
Dover then upped the pressure with play after play taking the St Dunstan's defence the width of the pitch and in the 30th minute their lines were breached again with a great 60 metre run from Paul Cairns who left a trail of failed tacklers in his wake. Unfortunately as Paul had grounded the ball in the corner it was too much for Gareth to add the conversion. 24-12
Dover then threw everything at St. Dunstan's for the next fifteen minutes with great moves being executed by the backs, notably Andrew Arter and Gareth Hewer at half back calling the shots and Adam Kew and Luke Cochrane in the midfield. Wingers Sean Golden and Daniel Philpott tried to no avail to score off the Dunstan's defence. Great tackling and ball retention from the back row from Paul Cairns, Richard Hayward and especially Luke Meredith gave the backs the bullets to fire. The engine room of Ben Hughes, Jamie Phillips, JJ Bumstead and Lewis Baker were led superbly by Hooker Mark Ritson who took several scrums against the head. Unfortunately all this pressure was to no avail and the frustration started to take its toll as JJ Bumstead was sin-binned in the 45th minute. 
It was only with the extra man advantage in the closing five minutes that St. Dunstan's looked like scoring and in the final minute they were able to add to their tally with a converted try. 31-12.
The classic game of two halves left us knowing what we were capable of when we put our minds to it and ruing the first twenty five minutes it took us to shake the journey out of our legs.
Our second fixture of the season was again a cup match, this time in the County Cup against King's School Canterbury at home on Wednesday 26th September.
A very wet and murky early evening unfolded which saw the visiting team adapt better to the difficult conditions.
King's had a very large and powerful pack that they used very well, disrupting our scrummaging and driving us back constantly in the rucks and mauls. It only took them three minutes to open the scoring with a converted try. Two more unconverted tries followed as King's managed to find the gaps out wide despite our manful tackling in midfield in the 9th and 15th minutes. 
In the 16th minute a quick breakaway try from King's excellent left wing was converted for an all too familiar 24-0 lead. 
Again Dover woke up after conceding four tries however, this time too many errors handling the wet ball and a much more powerful defence was able to hold us out. Combined with the dominance that King's had in the forwards the writing was on the wall and a converted try in the 25th minute giving King's a 31-0 half time lead only underlined this.
In the second half Dover again bravely battled against the elements and a well drilled opposition, never once letting their heads go down, but a converted try in the first minute of the second half and an unconverted one five minutes later put the nails in Dover's coffin. It was now a case of if we could stop them reaching the 50-point mark when the match would be declared won and lost. A 54th minute converted try took us to the brink of that figure trailing 49-0 and it was only another five minutes before King's completed their days work with a final try.
The Dover boys can take good heart from the fact that they were beaten, but not embarrassed by an extremely competent and physically strong team the likes of which we will not face again this year.

Year 10 Football Reports
Thursday 13th September was the opening day of the league season for the Year 10's who hosted Walmer for their first game.
With a reshuffled side and two debutantes, Chris Stockdale and J J Bumstead, we started solidly winning many of the midfield battles and creating a lot of useful ball. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the cutting edge in the penalty box which led to us taking too many shots from outside the box which sailed over. The chief culprit was the captain, Steve King, who troubled the birds nesting in the trees behind the Walmer goal more than the Walmer 'keeper'. His first half tale of woe was capped by a horrendous penalty miss when he fired a clear three metres over after Steve O'Brien had been pushed in the 'box'.
Half way through the first half Luke Cochrane replaced Nathan Allen in midfield after Allen turned his ankle.
DGSB's troubles were increased when Walmer scored a breakaway goal from a through ball that split the 3-man defence wide open. This was the pattern of play all the way to half time, DGSB having the majority of the possession with Walmer having the cutting edge on the few chances they had.
At half time DGSB gambled by taking wing back Stockdale off for striker Bumstead to make his debut. This appeared to give DGSB more balance and within four minutes of the restart Ian Morgan had pulled the scores level after an impressive run and shot.
In the 58th minute DGSB's cutting edge was re-established when Bumstead slotted home after bringing a cross-field ball under control well in the box.
Fifteen minutes from time Golden and Morgan , who had worked hard in midfield all match, made way for fresh legs, Craig Trimble and Lewis Callanan.
DGSB's resurgence was completed in the 78th minute when Steve O'Brien neatly turned and shot in the box.
A well earned win for the first game of the season, particularly showing good character after a missed penalty and going one down.

Thursday 27th September was our third match day and the first round of the County Cup at home to Herne Bay. 
A tense first half saw both sides feeling each other out with occasional chances at either end which neither side were able to convert. So at half time the score was 0-0.
The game came to life in the second half with Lewis Fitzjohn opening DGSB's account in the 36th minute. Herne Bay were quick to respond and within five minutes they had equalised. They then took a hold of the match and ten minutes later Herne Bay took the lead with a nicely worked goal. Credit to DGSB who didn't let their heads drop and kept on battling. Two minutes from the end they scored the equaliser through captain Steve King and they managed to hold out until the end of normal time and force golden goal extra time.
In the first half of extra time DGSB were playing up the hill, against the wind and into the setting sun. Against all the elements they were the better side keeping Herne Bay pinned in their own half. Unfortunately they were unable to convert their advantage into a winning goal.
The second half of extra time was two minutes old when a well whipped in cross by Herne Bay caused confusion in the Dover box and the ball ricocheted into the net for a golden goal winner.
The Year 10 cup hoodoo has struck again as the fourth year has now passed with this team exiting in the first round in unfortunate circumstances. Hard luck to the boys who didn't deserve to lose, but as many teams find out a single mistake is very costly in golden goal extra time.
Our next match was the Dover District Secondary School Football Association 7-a-side tournament at Castle Community School. This was a trophy that the boys had won as Year 9s but again they were battling against a jinx as the Year 10 cup is the only version of this trophy that the school has yet to win.
We started slowly with goal less draws against St Edmunds and Walmer and it wasn't until we came up against hosts Castle Community that we found the net twice through James Brannan. This win put us right back in the hunt with many games being drawn leaving the group extremely tight.
A third goal less draw, this time against Sandwich, left us in the position that we had to win against Archer's Court to be guaranteed the trophy. For the first five minutes of the game we held Archer's at bay having several chances but not finding the net. With two minutes to go we gambled by taking off defender Nathan Allen who had had a storming tournament at the back for striker Lewis Fitzjohn. Unfortunately it was a gamble that didn't pay off as 30 seconds from time Archer's scored to earn them the trophy and which left us in a four way tie for second place with Castle, Walmer and St Edmunds.
Hard luck to the boys who played well but just lacked that cutting edge up front to win them the trophy. The Year 10 jinx continues.

Year 9 Football Reports
Tuesday 11th September saw our first match of the season away against Walmer School played at the neutral venue of Castle Community School.
With new personnel, Sam Wilkes, Jared Cole, and Matthew Johncock, making their full league debuts and a new formation of 3-5-2 we took a little time to settle. Fortunately we were helped along the way by an early mistake by the Walmer 'keeper in the 4th minute, gifted Liam Friend an easy goal when a goal kick fell to him on the edge of the Walmer box.
Jared Cole scored when the Walmer team stopped playing during an appeal for a Dover goal that had been cleared off the line allowing him to coolly slot home.
Two minutes later Walmer got a goal back when poor marking on the Dover defence allowed their striker to run on to a through ball.
The Walmer resurgence was short lived as Liam Friend completed his brace in the 10th minute with a 20-yard shot.
In the 14th minute Daniel O'Neil made his debut in the league; the fourth do so today, as he came on for Mark Ambrose who was suffering from a turned ankle.
It then took us a further twelve minutes to regain our dominance, with Liam Friend achieving a first half hat trick.
'Keeper James Chainey kept our lead secure pulling off a fabulous save from another Walmer player coming through from deep.
In the 33rd minute Liam Friend added further to his tally with a classy left foot finish.
Two minutes later he took his personal score to five and Dover's score to six, latching onto an excellent left wing cross from David Oxenham. This left the half-time score at Dover 6 Walmer 1.
At half time reserve keeper Ben Williamson took Chainey's place between the sticks after Chainey had felt a back twinge whilst making his spectacular save.
Ten minutes into the second half Liam Friend completed his double hat trick with a well-taken goal.
In the 50th minute Luke Phillips fired home a great shot from the edge of the box after a Liam Friend pullback to take the score to 8-1. Liam then completed his astounding day's work with his seventh and Dover's ninth in the 55th minute with a cheeky dink over the hapless Walmer 'keeper.
Second reserve keeper Liam Cummings was then brought into the fray to relieve Jared Cole in the middle of the park who had worked hard for the team all match.
Ten minutes later Daniel O'Neil got on the score sheet when he seized upon a through ball and cleanly slotted home. After many attempts including a volley that was closer to going out for a throw and an attempted poach which turned a goal-bound shot over the bar from two yards Captain Liam Marsh netted with an outrageous 30yard lob in the 68th minute.
The final minute saw the final goal through Liam Cummings who finally managed to strike home despite the vain attempts of a Walmer defender, after several chances gifted by unselfish team mates attempting to get Liam his first goal for the team had been missed. An excellent first game of the season with very pleasing debut performances from all debutantes especially Sam Wilkes who put on an impressive composed performance.
The second match of the season for the Year 9's was a first round clash in the prestigious English Schools' Cup at home to Hartsdown at home on Monday 24th September.
With injury and illness enforcing changes in all areas of the pitch a new look side took time to settle and work out a well-organised Hartsdown side. Twenty minutes into the game Liam Marsh opened the scoring for Dover. Six minutes later he doubled Dover's advantage after a nice period of play from the whole Dover team.
Two minutes later after a Hartsdown attack had seemingly fizzled out an unlucky ricochet caught Daniel O'Neil on the hand in the box gaining Hartsdown a lucky penalty. Not wishing to look a gift horse in the mouth the Hartsdown skipper slotted home.
Three minutes before half time striking partner Liam Friend restored Dover's two-goal advantage leaving the half time score 3-1 Dover.
It didn't take long after the break before Dover re-asserted their dominance with Liam Marsh completing his hat trick in the 38th minute. A momentary wobble at the back saw Hartsdown cut the deficit again in the 45th minute 4-2.
Not wanting to let Mr Marsh run away in the goal scoring stakes, Liam Friend completed his brace in the 46th minute for 5-1.
Things then slowed to allow the players to catch breath for eleven minutes before Liam Marsh grabbed his fourth and Dover's sixth in the 57th minute.
From the kick off Hartsdown broke well down the left to score their third of the match. However, this was only brief respite before Liam Friend completed his hat trick in the 60th minute.
In the last minute Liam Friend audaciously lobbed the keeper for his 4th and Dover's 8th to round off the game 8-3.
An excellent performance against strong competition in the next step up from our normal standard of games. We now go on into the 2nd round. 
Saturday 29th September was the annual Dover District Secondary School Football Association 7-a-side tournament held at Castle Community school.
Having won this competition as Year 8's last year the current squad went into the competition with a lot of confidence.
That confidence was well founded as we tore into the competition. DGSB beat St. Edmunds 1-0 through a Liam Friend goal, Walmer 1-0 with David Oxenham scoring, Castle Community 2-0 with Liam Friend getting both, Sandwich 1-0 with David Oxenham again finding the net and finally obliterating Archer's Court 4-0 with Liam Friend (1) Adam Horne (1) and David Oxenham (2) getting on the scoresheet.
A flawless performance particularly from the defence of Liam Cummings, James Chainey, Sam Wilkes, Mark Ambrose and Steve Law who only conceded one shot in all of the four games. A phenomenal performance from all areas of the pitch. 
Fixture: Monday 8th October at 4.15: U18 Rugby friendly -v- Sir Roger Manwood's

ADVANCE NOTICE - GCSE PRESENTATIONS

The presentations of Subject Prizes and GCSE Certificates to those in last year's Year 11 will take place on Thursday 8th November 2001 commencing at 4.00 pm. 
Invitations will be sent out next week to all those in that year.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The school will be closed on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th October as part of the staff professional development programme. 
Half Term: Monday 22nd - Friday 26th October
(inclusive)