Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERAN OLYMPIC OLD PHAROSIAN
Hugh Styles, pupil at the school from 1985 - 1991, competed at the Olympic Games in Sydney in the Tornado Class for sailing.
I was in touch with Hugh during the Games by e-mail, sending messages of support from the School and the Old Pharosians and receiving news of progress. Hugh and his partner were well placed for a medal in the early races. Eventually they emerged 6th. They are already thinking out their strategy to go for Gold in the next Olympic Games.
Hugh spoke in assembly on Tuesday 17th October and gained everyone's rapt attention and admiration. Hugh spoke about how he had attained his very considerable achievement and how the boys in the school can achieve their goals if they are ambitious and determined enough.
Hugh is also visiting the Sport Studies classes in the Sixth Form to help them with their studies.
Headteacher
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Mr Kevin Raine, Head of Science, has retired at the end of October after a long spell of absence through ill-health. We thank Mr Raine for his 25 years service to the school and we wish him a long and happy retirement.
We thank Mrs Gillian Saville for having acted as Head of Science for the academic year 1999-2000 during which time she has moved the department forward. Dr Alan Payne is currently acting as Head of Science.
Mr Stephen Nugus, currently the very successful Head of Science at Whitstable Community College, has been appointed Head of Science from a strong field of applicants. Mr Nugus will take up his new position in January.
Headteacher
SWIMMING SPORTS ARRANGEMENTS
Tuesday 7th November
As for the last few years swimming sports will be held at Dover Leisure Centre on Tuesday of next week. To help with the smooth running of the event we would ask all parents and pupils to take notes of these arrangements:
Years 7 to 9. To go straight to Dover Leisure Centre arriving by 08.40 am. Registration with Form Teachers (inside if wet). Those not competing will watch from the balcony (Years 8 and 9) and the poolside (Year 7). Please note:
* Year 7 pupils will need to take their shoes/socks off and so should have a plastic bag or similar to put them in;
* It gets very hot in the Leisure Centre so all those watching need to bring something to drink;
* Years 7 to 9 pupils should only bring work etc., for periods 5-8;
* School buses have been asked to drop pupils at Dover Grammar School for Girls' where possible. They should then walk down Maison Dieu Road to the Leisure Centre.
Years 10 to 13. Those representing their house and those helping run the event should go directly to the Leisure Centre. All others should go to school as usual with their books etc., for normal Tuesday lessons.
Any parents who wish to spectate are most welcome, although it should be noted that the space is limited.
Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher
TRIP TO HASTINGS
15th October
On Sunday 15th October we went to Hastings with Mr Gaskell and Mr Thompson to see the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings.
When we got there we were told to get into threes and go to look at the stalls and events. I went with Richard Biggs and Daniel Burrs. It was really good because there were lots of people in costumes and there were lots of things to buy (most of them were very expensive!). I got a replica of a Saxon coin.
There were also some archery and shooting stalls but my favourite part was where we were given a fake spear and had to charge at the Saxons and hit them. It was brilliant!
At 2.00 pm we went to see the warriors training, it was great when the cavalry came on because they rode up and chopped vegetables on sticks in half. The actual battle started one hour later. It was really interesting to see the armies lining up and watching the archers fire the arrows really high up into the air. When the infantry attacked it was quite slow but Senlac Hill is very steep. Then when the Normans faked a retreat and the Saxons charged down the hill a lot of them got killed because the Normans turned around unexpectedly. Most of the killing happened when Harold was mortally wounded from an arrow which struck him in the eye and eventually killed him.
The atmosphere was amazing with people cheering and booing either side (I think the Normans were the favourites).
Overall it was a brilliant day.
Arian Beqiri - 7 Port
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
* The "extended" day trip to Cologne in December is going ahead as planned, weather permitting! Thank you to all who filled in the necessary paperwork and returned it very promptly. The original number of 44 pupils in Years 8 and 9 has increased to 88 (including a few members of Year 10). We are delighted that this has proved so popular and hope that every participant will use as much German as possible on the day.
Mrs F Lloyd/Miss H Martin
* Ten to twelve students in Years 12 and 13 are invited to take part in a European Work Placement/exchange in France (Guingamp in Brittanny) from 7th April to 15th April 2001. The placement is primarily to consolidate and extend linguistic, cultural skills and awareness of work in a European context. The exchange is based on the French and English students staying with each other's families. We do not know yet when the French students will be in Dover. A European work placement is a very worthwhile activity, will look rather good on your university application and personal statement and would certainly help you get a far greater understanding of the European aspects of the world of work. It would also enable you to use as much French as possible in a "real" way. We hope to keep the cost to the absolute minimum, transport and insurance only.
If you are in Years 12 and 13 and interested, or, if as a parent you could help with a possible placement please contact Mrs Lloyd as soon as possible.
Mrs F Lloyd - Subject Leader for Modern Languages
JEANS FOR GENES
Thank you to the School Council, all pupils and members of staff who took part in the JEANS for GENES National Day. We raised £580 which has now been sent to the appeal.
Mrs F Lloyd - Subject Leader for Modern Languages
MUSIC
On Wednesday 11th October the School's musicians presented the Autumn Concert in conjunction with the Governing Body's Annual Parents' Meeting for 2000. The musical items represented the second part of the evening and were preceded by Cheese and Wine refreshments served by the PFA. Performances by the Jazz Group, Training Band, Brass Ensemble and Big Band were interspersed with solo items and it was particularly good to hear pieces on the violin (Miles Brett and Thomas Smith of 9CH) and flute (Thomas Munford and Aaron Hobday) along with vocal solos from Louis Myers and an organ piece played by Mr Baldock. There was an appreciative audience and the concert was much enjoyed by all involved.
The School's musicians will soon be in action again providing musical interludes at the GCSE Prizegiving Ceremony on Thursday 9th November and beyond that the main event of this term will be the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight on Wednesday 13th December at 8.00 pm in Charlton Church.
Mr R Davies - Director of Music
PARENTS' AND FRIENDS' ASSOCIATION
There is still time to book a table for our Wine and Wisdom evening tomorrow (Friday 3rd November). Please contact PFA secretary Janet Munford through the school office.
The committee met on Tuesday evening and decided to buy an automatic laser barcode scanner for the Library which will speed up issues and returns, creating a catalogue on computer and enabling better control of overdue items and the stock in general.
It was also agreed to buy a new table-tennis table for the PE department and there's a chance that a second one could be bought if enough money is raised by the Christmas draw. Draw tickets are due to be sent out to all parents soon and we would ask you all to try to sell as many as you can. You can always ask for more! There's a prize for the form that sells the most tickets, as well as prizes for the winners of the draw, of course. We would still welcome any more donations of prizes for the Christmas draw. Please send any items into the school office.
New and second-hand uniform will be on sale at the Parents' Evening on Wednesday 29th November between 4.00 and 7.00 pm and don't forget that the uniform items are also on sale after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the school office.
The next committee meeting is on Tuesday 16th January at 7.30 pm.
Mrs J Tutthill - Chairman
PFA 200 CLUB
Many thanks to all those who renewed their membership to the 200 Club and welcome to our new members. September was a hectic month for everyone but I would like to reassure all our members that even though money may have been late arriving, each and everyone was entered into the draw from September onwards.
The winners for September were:
1st £25 Mrs E Seddon (77), 2nd £15 Mr A Norman (37) and 3rd £10 Mrs L Yates (152).
October winners were:
1st £25 Mr A Husk (73), 2nd £15 Mr & Mrs Visscher (194) and 3rd £10 Mrs Farthing (47).
Mrs P Brown - 200 Club Secretary
OLD PHAROSIANS
The committee meets on Tuesday 14th November at 7.00 pm. Prior to the meeting committee members will be given a tour of the new accommodation at the school, including the Sixth Form Centre for which the Old Pharosians donated £3,000 to provide various items, including lockers.
A number of former pupils at the school were among those who attended the funeral of Robert "Bod" Bowles last week. Bod, who was 70 when he died last month, was educated at our school. A keen jazz musician, he was licensee of the Louis Armstrong public house in Dover, and a number of former pupils were among those who played there over the years. A full report will be included in the next edition of the Old Pharosians' newsletter which is due to be published in January.
Mr G Tutthill - Newsletter Editor
SPECTACLE COLLECTION
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 a year ago we have sent off about fifty pairs of spectacles.
If you or any of your friends or relatives have any old glasses no longer needed please send them in to the School Office. Don't worry if they don't have cases as VAO don't need these.
Mrs J Luckhurst - School Secretary
MACMILLAN SAHARA WALK
The parents of two pupils in Year 10 - David Jordan (father of Jamie) and Chris Bulow (father of Ben) are joining with a friend to walk 104 km across the Sahara in November to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
They would welcome sponsorship from any pupil or parent for this excellent cause. Amounts can be pledged and paid at the School Office. Thank you.
Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher
GOVERNING BODY
Members of the governing body serving the school are as follows:
Parent Governors:
Mrs Eunice Collins, Mr John English, Rev. Fr. Nick De Keyser, Mr Milford Lingard, Mr Philip Lynes, Mr Ian Munford and Mrs Barbara Stubbs.
Teacher Governors:
Mrs Françoise Lloyd and Mr David Murray.
Staff Governor:
Mrs Marion Pardoe
Partnership Governors:
Mrs Suzanne Dawson, Mr John Holmes (Vice Chairman), Mr Bob Joslin and Mr James Murray (Chairman).
LEA Governors:
Mr Robin Terry and Mr Ian Ward
Co-Opted Governors:
Mr Bryan Cope, Mr John Hogg and Mrs Penny Thornton.
Ex-Officio:
Mr Neil Slater, Headteacher.
A vacancy exists for a Partnership Governor and papers will be sent out to all parents requesting nominations in the near future.
Mrs S Barham - Clerk to the Governors
SPORTS NEWS
Football
Year 7 -v- Astor School (Away). Tuesday 10th October
A game in which we started rather tentatively with several errors being made both in attack and defence. Gradually the team settled down and some good attacking moves were put together. The half time score found us 4-1 ahead.
Turning around in the second half with the slope in our favour we continued to apply pressure and set up some competent attacks. In all five more goals were scored with several near misses as well. (Final score 9-1).
The scorers were as follows:
James Gavin (1), Sam Gore (1), Nick Shaw (2), Aaron Reed (2), Ryan Powlter (1), Stephen Grant (1) and 1 own goal by Astor.
Skill areas that we need to work on are a) improving the accuracy of our passing, b) better communication and calling both in attack and defence, c) certain players holding the ball for too long and d) more movement off the ball.
Year 7 District Cup Match -v- Walmer School (Away) Tuesday 17th October
Another excellent win to continue the team's progress against Walmer School. After a rather shaky start the side settled down to score some ecellent goals winning 10-2 at full time.
1st XI League Match -v- Simon Langton (Away) Wednesday 18th October
On a very muddy pitch and without our regular keeper the team played well to beat Simon Langton 3-1. We enjoyed most of the possession in the first half playing down hill and scored an early goal from Jason Laird with an excellent passing move. Further goals followed, both from Andy Herbert.
In the second half we were under a lot of pressure but the defence generally remained secure. Overall this was a game that we deserved to win.
This week we play Tunbridge Wells G.S. away on Wednesday 1st November and on Saturday 4th November another league game away against our old rivals Harvey G.S.
The above reports were written by Mr M Grant - Subject Leader for PE.
Year 9 -v- Norton Knatchbull. Saturday 7th October
The team managed to beat Norton Knatchbull on Saturday despite having only ten players. The game got off to a bad start for Dover when within only 30 seconds the Asford team managed to score an extremely early goal. However, Dover fought back well scoring two goals in quick succession to take the lead back from Knatchbull. As the game went on Dover asserted their dominance in the game scoring five more goals and never looking likely, on this occasion, to lose the match. The final score was 7-3 to DGSB.
The goal scorers were:
Steven King (2), James Clements (2), Stephen O'Brien (2) and Craig Trimble (1).
Mr D Morrissey
Year 9 -v- Astor. Tuesday 10th October (Away)
On Tuesday 10th October the Year 9 team made the short journey to Astor. On a cold and blustery afternoon it was always going to be tough. In the first half we went up the slope and were against the wind. We started well by putting on some good early pressure and took the lead after 15 minutes when James Brannan finished confidently from 8 yards out. From then it all went downhill and Astor equalised after some poor marking off a short corner. They were now on top and 5 minutes later they took a lead. At half time we were 2-1 down with a tough second half in prospect.
We started the second half well and after 10 minutes Craig Trimble hit a snap shot which flew into the top corner. The game was tight and it looked as if it was heading for a draw as we had missed a few chances to take the lead. With only minutes left on the clock a hopeful ball by Richard Hayward was latched onto by Steven King who beat the keeper to give Dover the lead. We managed to come away with a tight 3-2 win and you cannot fault anyone for the effort in beating our local rivals.
Report by Steven King - 9 Port
The following report was written by Mr K Onions - PE Department
Thursday 5th October saw the Year 8 side travel to Deal to face Castle Community School.
We started brightly pressing the Castle defence and it was only in the 3rd minute when Liam Friend managed to find a gap in the Castle defence, only to be brought down cynically by his marker. A precedent for what was to follow. Liam managed to dust himself down but was still obviously shaken by the crude challenge and put his spot-kick uncharacteristically wide.
In the next 10 minutes Dover did all the pressing but the pattern continued that as soon as Friend breached the Castle defence his legs were crudely taken out from under him. Liam did manage to get his revenge, in the proper manner, by turning up in the 13th minute to neatly slot home from a David Oxenham cross.
David then got in on the act himself in the 17th minute, this time Adam Horne supplying the ball from the other wing.
Things then went quiet for 10 minutes before Luke Phillips lit up the game with a dazzling 18 yard volley to rival any that Thierry Henry can manage. This rounded off the half with Dover Grammar leading 3-0.
It was not long into the second half before the goals started to roll in again from Grammar. 2 minutes into the half Adam Horne turned up in the 6 yard box to poach a goal after Liam Friend's shot was half saved.
Six minutes later Adam did exactly the same thing again, this time after Liam's shot rebounded off the post.
After poaching two from Liam it was time for Adam to repay the favour crossing excellently for Liam to score his second in the 40th minute. After proving his point against his overly strenuous marker Liam was then subbed to rest his sore ankles and to give Sam Mariner a good run out.
Eight minutes later Liam's striking partner for the evening Jarred Cole got himself on the score sheet by heading home from another good David Oxenham cross.
Six minutes from time Jarred rounded off the scoring finishing coolly after a nice through ball found him on-side and out of the spiteful clutches of the Castle defence.
An overly physical and often down right dirty opposition were soundly trounced 8-0.
The last day of the autumn half term saw Grammar play hosts to Walmer School.
With five regular players either unavailable, withdrawing from the team late or playing out of position we lined up with an unusual formation of the goal scoring duo, Liam Marsh and Liam Friend partnering each other at centre back. Goalkeeper James Chainey resumed his stint as centre forward, allowing Ben Williamson to make his first start between the sticks.
On a waterlogged and nearly unplayable pitch, which got worse by the minute with a torrential downpour and sleet falling from the skies, it took a while for the team to gel and get used to their new positions. Dover were solid and played some nice football on the treacherous pitch lacking bite in the final third of the pitch whilst Walmer defended well enough without troubling the Grammar goal.
Half time came with neither side able to master the conditions enough to score.
Three minutes into the second half the Dover machine clicked into gear with Adam Horne opening the scoring. Only a minute later Adam was at it again this time having a thunderous drive half blocked by a Walmer defender only enough to spoon it into the back of his own net for an own goal. 2-0.
Liam Friend then popped up from his unaccustomed role as centre back one minute later to stretch the grammar lead to 3-0.
Things went a bit quiet then on the pitch for ten minutes whilst another horrific downpour passed over. The rain made it hard for the boys to control the ball enough to make any meaningful use of possession. It was upon this poor weather that Walmer seized to open their account in the 41st minute to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Just as the rain started to subside again Jarred Cole popped up to score Grammar's fourth in the 43rd minute. Five minutes later Liam Friend made another foray, this time running the ball the length of the pitch to slot home neatly for 5-1. Not to be outdone Adam Horne weighed in with his brace a minute later for 6-1.
Revelling in his new found role James Chainey swung his mighty boot to crack home a David Oxenham cross from fully 18 yards for 7-1.
Five minutes from time Walmer were able to grab a second consolation goal to round off the scoring 7-2.
A very satisfactory victory to round off a very successful half term with a 100% record in the District Lleague to add to their victory in the District 7-a-side Competition. The boys celebrated in Klinsmann style, sliding arm in arm face first in the mud in the goal area leaving a very grubby kit for Mr. Onions to wash. Thanks lads!
Halloween saw the Year 8 boys back in action with a hastily convened team facing St Anselms Catholic School, Canterbury.
St. Anselms were up against it from the very beginning only managing ten players but Grammar forever the sportsmen elected to match them ten vs. ten using the extra player as an extra sub.
The first ten minutes of the game was like the opening round of a boxing match with neither team knowing the other. They cagily tested each other searching for a weakness.
Dover found one first in the 10th minute with a hapless Anselms defender turning Luke Phillips goal-bound drive into the opposite corner of his own net.
Three minutes later Liam Friend, back in his regular role as striker, found the net to stretch the Grammar lead.
In the 16th minute striking partner Liam Marsh got in on the act scoring his opening goal to make the score 3-0 to Dover.
Two minutes later Liam Friend popped up again for his second and Dover's 4th.
The game then quietened down for ten minutes with Anselms making some defensive changes that contained Dover temporarily. Liam Marsh then completed his brace in the 28th minute to leave both the strikers on a hat-trick race and the half time score 5-0 to Dover.
With the luxury of two subs Dover changed things around at half time, bringing on fresh legs on what was a very heavy, wet pitch. Jarred Cole replaced Mark Ambrose at centre back, whilst Ben Williamson won his second cap replacing Liam Cummings in goal.
It only took two minutes for Adam Horne to open the second half scoring, finishing neatly to extend Grammar's league to 6-0.
Again St. Anselms changed their formation with limited success containing Grammar for another ten minutes before Liam Marsh won the race to be first to score a hat trick in the 42nd minute.
At this point Anselms heads went down and they stopped functioning as a unit and the Grammar boys moved in for the kill.
Liam Friend grabbed his hat trick in the 44th minute for 8-0. A minute later Adam Horne completed his brace, 9-0.
In the 48th minute Adam rounded off an excellent second half hat trick 10-0. A minute later Liam Marsh slotted home a fourth for 11-0.
Not to be outdone Liam Friend stroked home his fourth in the 51st minute, 12-0
Liam Marsh then took over scoring at will from any position in the 53rd, 57th and 58th minutes for a personal tally of 7 (seven!!) and a team score of 15-0.
In the last minute David Oxenham rounded off an excellent performance supplying most of the goals in one way or another by scoring Grammar's final goal for a full time score of 16-0.
Arriving understaffed and leaving crest fallen after a sound thrashing, St Anselms crashed out of the Cup leaving Grammar hoping for a more testing opposition in the next round.
Fixtures:
Sat.4th Nov. 10.00 am 1st XI -v- Harvey GS (A)
2nd XI -v- Harvey GS (H)
Wed. 8th Nov. 2.15 pm 1st XI -v- Maidstone GS (H)
2nd XI -v- Maidstone GS (A)
Sat. 11th Nov. 10.00 am Years 7 & 9 -v- Harvey (H)
Years 8 & 10 -v- Harvey GS (A). (Leave school at 9.15 am)
Sat. 11th Nov. 10.30 am 2nd XI -v- Tunbridge Wells GS (Cup Game).
Wed. 15th Nov. 2.15 pm 1st XI -v- Rainham Mark (H)
Wed. 22nd Nov. 2.15 pm 1st XI -v- Norton Knatchbull
(H)
Wed. 22nd Nov. 2.15 pm 2nd XI -v- Norton Knatchbull
(A)
Wed. 29th Nov. 2.15 pm 1st XI -v- Astor (A)
Wed. 6th Dec. 2.15 pm 1st XI -v- Queen Elizabeth's
(A)
2nd XI -v- Queen Elizabeth's (H)
TABLE TENNIS
The eight school teams in the three Dover divisions are playing at home (in the gym) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Away matches are on any day, Monday to Friday, depending upon the away team's home evening. Matches start at 7.30, but when a Grammar team plays another Grammar team, there is the option of playing directly after school from 3.30.
Paul Skelton is the table tennis school representative and Mr. Andy Burkert is also helping out and playing in the school "D" team. Both members of staff are responsible for opening and locking up the school whilst matches are in play. When either member of staff is 'at home' play is supervised 100% of the time. However, there have been times when the member of staff who opens up the school for play has also taken his team to an away match returning to the school later that evening for locking up.
The school teams play in the main Dover league not a Dover School league. Due to the Grammar being the only school in the area to offer table tennis, they play the teams from Dover Police and Dover Fire Brigade etc. and so far the boys haven't been left alone without at least one adult member on site, albeit an away team member. As this is unsatisfactory, even though table tennis is not considered a "dangerous sport", I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to boys' parents and guardians for some support in assisting with supervision. A few parents actually play in the same teams as their sons and daughters (yes, I do have girls signed on for the Grammar teams as well as boys) and they have been a great help with taking the responsibility for supervision. Also opening and locking the school from time to time.
I am very happy to sign on parents, if they too would like the opportunity to play and not just watch the matches. This would need to be done before the end of the year.
The match registration fee this year is set at £5 per player. (There are still a few players that haven't forwarded their registration forms or fees yet. Please do so urgently).
As already mentioned in this newsletter the school is expanding the table tennis facilities to all members of the school and this may attract more pupils who wish to play next season. Without the help and support of more parents, the teams in the Dover league may have to be limited to a more manageable number in the future if 100% supervision is unable to be maintained. (Staff who supervise do so on a purely voluntary basis in their own time). I would like to add that I am not aware of any bad behaviour taking place by any players, home or away.
STOP PRESS: One new table was collected by myself and Mr Malcolm Grant last night from the Dover Working Mens Club. Thanks go to the Dover Table Tennis Association who have donated it to the school.
Paul Skelton - Workshop Technician
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Swimming Sports - Tuesday 7th November
GCSE Presentation Ceremony - Thursday 9th November at 4.00 pm. (To avoid congestion please do not arrive before 3.45 pm).
Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight - Wednesday 13th December at 8.00 pm. To be held at Charlton Church.
