THE "FIRST THURSDAY" NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2001 No. 87

SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday 9th December the School will have been in its present buildings exactly seventy years. Prince George opened the School in a day of ceremonies in 1931 to mark the moving of the School from its previous building in Frith Road (the present Girls' School). 
To celebrate the anniversary, boys have been invited to take part in three competitions: an art competition, a creative writing competition and a historical writing competition. The closing date for all these is Monday 10th December.
In the last week of term I hope to mount an exhibition of the entries for the competitions, along with archive material from 1931. You will be invited to view the exhibition and share in our celebrations.
Further details will follow as soon as arrangements are finalised.
Dr A S Jackson - Deputy Headteacher

CLICK to view 1931 archives page.

SCHOOL WEB SITE

We are pleased to announce that the School has been awarded the above Golden Web Award 2001-2002 by the International Association of Web Masters and Designers for its web site.
As an association the I.A.W.M.D. provides a common ground from which the members may begin to establish a professional, recognised level of credibility. Membership of the association consists of professional: webmasters, designers, programmers, network administrators, graphic artists, software consultants, sales persons, engineers, system administrators and many other internet related professionals world wide providing direct access and benefits encompassing both their personal and professional needs.
Our congratulations go to Mr Paul Skelton who designed and is administering the web site.
The web site address was:
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/dovergramboys 

(now http://dovergrammar.co.uk 1st May 2002)

HISTORY NEWS

The school has supported two of our finest history students during their short study course on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Run by the Holocaust Educational Trust in London, Stuart Inglis and Stephen Hughes of Year 13 joined other Sixth Form students from around the country on a programme that included a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. In this month's newsletter Stuart and Stephen recount their experiences and will follow this theme by conducting the school assembly on Holocaust Memorial Day in January.
A special note for another talented Sixth Form historian, Edward Smith. Edward was highly commended by Oxford University for an essay he wrote on the impact of railways in Nineteenth Century Britain for a national essay competition.
Steven King and James Clements from Year 10 have been assisting me in cataloguing and evaluating the departments GCSE resources. Both students have worked well this term and their work on the Great War has been particularly impressive.
Mr J Gaskell - Acting Subject Leader for History

Lessons from Auschwitz by Stuart Inglis and Stephen Hughes.
It is estimated that over 12 million people died in concentration and extermination camps in Nazi Germany. This is equivalent to one fifth of the present British population, a figure that is as difficult to comprehend as it is disturbing. Six of those twelve million were the victims of the Nazi's 'Holocaust' - the 'Final Solution to the Jewish Question'. There were twenty four Nazi concentration or extermination camps with Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland being the biggest, geographically and in terms of the numbers who died. We have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in the 'Lessons from Auschwitz' course run by the Holocaust Educational Trust.
The program consisted of three very different elements which took place in October and November this year. The first 'phase' consisted in a seminar held at the Central Synagogue in London. Here we heard the testimony of Gena Turgel, a survivor of the holocaust and Auschwitz. She spoke about her experiences as a young girl in Auschwitz and how she survived although those around her perished including many members of her own family. Her account made it explicit that every one of the people subjected to Nazi persecution and oppression was a person, the twelve million people who died in the hands of the Nazis were all people, and had like Gena, a story to tell. However, surprisingly Gena Turgel was not herself angry about her experiences. She did not look back, as may be expected, with hate. Rather she said that hatred was the instigator of the Holocaust. Gena said that when she reflected on her experiences she felt a sense of hope; a hope for mankind expressed by the inner strength of the victims, both those who died and those who survived.
The seminar proved to be a good preparation for the second and main element of the course, a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. The 180 sixth formers from schools throughout Britain were joined for this visit by, among others, a number of MPs and Civil Servants as well as television personalities and Rabbi Barry Marcus. We arrived in Cracow before boarding buses to take us to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The first part of the visit was to Auschwitz I, Auschwitz consisted of three separate camps. Auschwitz I was originally a concentration, rather than extermination, camp although it was later used as an experimental extermination camp anticipating Auschwitz II (Birkenau). Although the camp retains much of its original form there is a great deal of criticism and debate concerning its 'museum-isation'. However, the horrors of the camp are left undiminished. We were guided around the camp by a Polish guide whose relatives were victims of Auschwitz. Viewing the red-brick buildings of the camp from outside conceals their horrific history which one is confronted with when one enters the buildings. Some of the blocks are used to present material from the camp's history. For example one room is filled with 20 tonnes of women's hair, just a fraction of that shaved off by the Nazis to be used for the production of things such as clothes. In another room one is faced with hundreds of suitcases taken from those entering the camp, then the guide pointed out one suitcase and said that out of all the people and families represented by the various suitcases that one represented the only survivor. There were many other examples, prosthetic limbs, glasses, toothbrushes, to name but a few. We were also taken to various buildings which had been preserved, for example the 'punishment' cells. These were cells, one square foot, which were built so that the four 'inmates' who shared each cell could neither sit nor stand.
Before travelling to Birkenau (about two miles from Auschwitz I) we saw the experimental extermination chamber where 60,000 people were estimated to have died by gas in the Nazi's attempt to find an ideal method of mass murder. Birkenau, the purpose built extermination camp was a great contrast to Auschwitz 1. Birkenau remains in the same form as it was when liberated by the Red Army in January 1945. Immediately one was struck by the expanse and scale of the camp which was built in the place where several Polish villages once stood. The camp was built for the clinical, efficient extermination of those the Nazis labelled 'asocials', estimated to be two million in total, the great majority being Jews although hundreds of thousands of political prisoners, gypsies, Slavs and homosexuals were also murdered in the 'factory of death'. There were hundreds of detainment blocks each designed to hold 52 horses which had been converted to accommodate 700 prisoners at a time. The crematoria and gas chambers had been destroyed by the fleeing Nazis before the camp was liberated by the Soviets on 27th January 1945. However, the rubble remains and one can clearly see the chambers in which 2000 people were gassed at a time. At the camp's memorial to those who died Rabbi Marcus led a short service of remembrance to those who had died. We walked out of the camp in silence along the railway lines through the famous camp entrance, which so many victims of Nazi oppression never had the chance to do.
On Sunday 18th November we attended the post-visit seminar at the Imperial War Museum in London where we viewed the Holocaust Exhibition which had greater meaning and prominence due to our visit to Auschwitz. We also discussed our experiences and how we could communicate them and the lessons learnt to others.
The main lesson from Auschwitz was that it was people who were responsible for the atrocities as exemplified by Hana Hornung:
'I am a survivor of the holocaust. I would like only to convey to you, the reader, that it existed in all its horrors and against all reason. It was organised and executed by a nation which produced outstanding people such as Gothe, Heine and Beethoven.'
It is also important to realise that the lessons learnt from the holocaust, of tolerance and understanding, are still as much relevant to today as they have ever been, with the genocides which have occurred in recent years and especially now in light of the terrorist attacks on America and the subsequent bombing of Afghanistan. It is also important to remember that we should not be bystanders to intolerance and hatred, as Martin Neimoller claimed:

'First they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew.

They they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak for me.'

MUSIC

Carol Service

On Wednesday 19th December at 8.00 pm we will be presenting our annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Charlton, Dover.
The service includes favourite Christmas hymns for all to sing accompanied by the School Brass Ensemble and the traditional nine Bible readings telling the story of Christmas read by pupils, staff, parents, old boys and governors.
The carols sung by the School Choir will range from medieval plainsong through traditional favourites including Harold Darke's 'In the bleak mid-winter' to pieces by contemporary composers.
The Service will be sung by candlelight and afterwards coffee and mince pies will be served in the Church Hall.
The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight is one of the highlights of the school year and you are warmly invited to attend and to bring family and friends. We do hope that you will be able to join us.

Mince Pies

The mince pies served after the Carol Service along with the refreshments provided by the PFA are kindly donated to the school each year by the pupils. If you can help in this way please bring your mince pies in to school on either Monday 17th, Tuesday 18th or Wednesday 19th and hand them in at the School Office. A retiring collection in aid of charity is taken at the end of the Carol Service and your contribution to the success of this event would be very much appreciated. A total of some 300 mince pies are needed in all.
Instrumental Music
The month of November once again saw the school's instrumentalists in action, this time at the third and last of our three prizegivings for the previous academic year. Two Big Band numbers were followed by a trumpet solo played by Music Prizewinner Tom Punton, with pop group Forge rounding off the evening.
Examination Results
Congratulations are due to the following pupils who have just passed their practical music examinations:
Robert Manhire (Grade 2 Clarinet)
Gareth Hewer (Grade 2 Alto Saxophone with Merit)
Ben Reay (Grade 4 Trumpet)
Thomas R Smith (Grade 4 Trombone with Merit)
Miles Brett (Grade 5 Violin with Merit)
Callum Lawrence (Initial Grade Piano with Distinction)
Patrick Mallery (Grade 6 Piano)

White Cliffs Award

Special congratulations are also due to violinist Miles Brett who has been awarded a White Cliffs Arts Award after his successful audition in November. Miles attended the Award ceremony in the Town Hall on Tuesday 4th December at which he was presented with a certificate and a grant towards the cost of his music studies by the Chairman of Dover District Council.

Mr R Davies - Director of Music

FRENCH/HISTORY TRIP TO ARRAS

Last month (1st/2nd November) a group of students from Years 9 & 10 left Dover Eastern Docks at about 7.50 am.
On arrival at Calais we met up with our coach driver who then took us on to Arras for some lunch. We hoped to eat in an outlet of the famous French food chain "Flunch", but as it was full we hopped over the road to McDonald's. Very traditional!
Having eaten our fill we drove on to the fabulous Canadian war memorial at Vimy ridge. We had an expert guide around the tunnel complex in the ridge, and an even better informed guide of the trenches in Mr Gaskell! We then saw the amazing white stone monument on the edge of the ridge. This was a great photo opportunity.
Finally, before settling in at the Youth Hostel in Arras, we travelled to the war cemetery and museum at "Notre Dame de Lorette". The reconstructions, 3D war images and mock battlefield were all very informative.
Waking up the next morning (after a night-time stroll in Arras, and a nice three course dinner) we ate breakfast, cleared our rooms and stepped out into the city.
The shopping was good and the people were friendly: a nice diversion from the more serious thoughts of the day before. Then onto the Town Hall.
The tunnel complex and the film were both very interesting, being followed by our ascent of the great clock tower. At the top we were hit by stunning views…..and a biting wind!
We then got back onto the coach and drove to Calais to catch our ferry, The Pride of Kent (P & O Stena Line).
All of the students would like to thank Mme Lloyd, Mlle Deltreil and Mr Gaskell for their excellent supervision skills (no, honestly!), but most of all to Mlle Martin for all of the hard work and effort that she put in. Merci à tous!
Robert McKay - 11CA

ART TRIP TO LONDON - 23rd November 2001

Year 10, 12 and 13 pupils visited the Tate Modern's critically acclaimed 'Surrealism' exhibition in the morning and the Courtauld Institute's permanent collection in the afternoon.
The 'Surrealism' show was the largest devoted to this movement held in the UK for over twenty years and proved to be fascinating. Works by all the major surrealists were included, artists such as Dali, Magritte, Ray, Ernst, Miro, Kahlo, Tanning, Duchamp and de Chirico. Dali, Miro and Magritte were our pupils' favourite three artists on the day.
Our work in the afternoon concentrated on the 19th century works in the Courtauld's superb permanent collection. Boys made detailed studies of paintings by artists such as Gauguin, Monet, Cezanne, Seurat, Pissarro and Renoir.
As always we are able to report that our pupils' behaviour and industry were excellent throughout what was a very valuable and enjoyable trip.
Mr S M Almond - Subject Leader for Art & Design.

A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY TRIP TO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

As a student of both Sociology and Psychology I embarked on this particular trip with the other A Level students in the two subject groups. We travelled to London on the train and then by tube. We had planned to arrive at Logan Hall at the University College London by 10.45 am so we would be able to see the entirety of Sandra Gregory's speech about how she was in a Thai prison for nearly five years. However, because of the unreliability of the train service we arrived late as she was speaking about her life in Thailand. This was before she was arrested and imprisoned for drug smuggling. Surprisingly she said that she preferred the Thai prison to the British prison she was transferred to in 1997.
The next speaker was Tim Newell OBE, ex-Governor of HMP Grendon, and 'Billy' an ex-prisoner from the same institution. The speech revealed that HMP Grendon is the only therapeutic prison in Britain and illustrated the strengths of having more therapeutic prisons in the UK as the re-offending rate is much lower in prisoners from Grendon than from other prisons. Grendon is unique because it offers advice and support for the prisoners once they are "outside".
The afternoon session started with an inspirational and emotional speech from Erin Pizzey who set up the first ever Women's Refuge. She spoke touchingly about her grandson Keita who had hanged himself in HMP Wandsworth in February 2000. Ms Pizzey informed us how she was trying to set up support centres in prisons for suicidal inmates and that this was going to go ahead in Wandsworth in remembrance of Keita.
The last speaker was Neil Hamilton, accompanied by his wife Christine. This was an absolute contrast to the previous speech as Mr Hamilton, the disgraced former Conservative MP, made a number of inappropriate jokes about the subjects on which Ms Pizzey had spoken so emotionally.
This speech concluded the day after which we rushed to the train station and caught the train home. 
We would all like to thank Mrs Ball and Mr Morrissey for taking us and organising the trip.
Anthony Boden - 13 CA

APEX ENTERPRISES LOWER SCHOOL DISCO - 23rd November 2001

Apex Enterprises' inaugural management event and first Lower School Disco of the season transpired to be an ultimate success. DJ Stack from Ministry of Sound treated all 225 ticket-bearing lower school pupils to a fine mix of tunes, together with fabulous lighting effects and stunning visuals. The evening was enjoyed by all and will be back by popular demand in the New Year. Thanks to all the teachers and the librarian for their help, especially to Mr Ralph for keeping it 'westside' with those Ali G shades! The photos from this popular event are now online at www.apex-enterprises.co.uk and are also on the school intranet. Apex are planning more events soon including a 'Disco Decades' night, 'Valentines Prom', 'Quiz Night' and another spectacular Lower School disco! Watch this space!
James Eberlein - 13CA (Member of Apex Enterprises)

TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME

Dover Grammar School for Boys students plan for an educational expedition to the Himalayas
Students from Dover Grammar School for Boys have committed to completing a programme of planning, money management and training in preparation for a 4-week Team Challenge expedition to the Himalayas in summer 2003. The developmental programme, taking almost twenty months to complete, will motivate the students to learn through experience. The students (Challengers) will confront challenges they have never faced before by taking on the responsibility of working with the organisers, World Challenge Expeditions, to plan their expedition itinerary and to work through a money management programme to raise their own expedition funds.
They will complete a 3-day Training Expedition at World Challenge Expeditions' Leadership and Development Centre in the Peak District to develop team working, leadership, communications and organisation skills as well as the vital expedition survival techniques.
Money Management events are already being planned to raise funds towards their £3,000 expedition fee including bag packing (Tesco), tuck shop, discos and a sponsored stair climb (to the peak of Everest!) Their objective is to raise the money independently, without relying on their parents' pockets.
The stair climb will take place on Wednesday 12th December within the tower at the School. The team and their teacher, Mr Harrison, will climb the stairs to the equivalent height of 29,950 feet! This will mean going up the stairs 300 times and it is expected to take at least 10 hours.
In the summer of 2003 the team, Mr Harrison and a World Challenge Expedition Leader will depart for Northern India. The Challengers will alternate roles such as leader, accountant, cook, health and safety officer and transport co-ordinator to operate efficiently as a team. During the 4-week expedition, they will complete an acclimatisation phase to adapt to the food, culture and trekking conditions before tackling their physical phase, a main challenging trek and a cultural phase, a worthwhile project to enable the Challengers to give something back to the community which they are visiting. Finally, they will have the opportunity to fully recover by completing a rest and relaxation phase. The total expedition duration will be 4 weeks and the detail of the itinerary will be created over the forthcoming months.
Although students will experience new boundaries of adventure, safety is the key priority of World Challenge Expeditions. A tried and tested 24-hour safety and back-up system, in-country agents, high qualified leaders and comprehensive insurance ensure the highest safety standards possible.
Mr M Harrison - Subject Leader for Economics and Business Studies.

YEAR 9 LUNCHTIME FRENCH SOCIETY

I would like to ask all of those in Year 9 (and perhaps Year 10) interested in improving their knowledge of the French language and culture to contact me.
My concept is that the Society should be an independent organisation run by the students.
We may be able to organise exchanges to Paris and Toulouse in the holidays and you will have a great opportunity to see French films and you will have access to good French magazines.
Please do not be deterred by popular misconceptions of 'extra-curricular activities'. This is why I want to do this. You do what you want to do!
Robert McKay - 11CA

LIBRARY NEWS

Coming Soon. From Monday 10th December, for one week only, during the morning and lunch break Scholastic Book Fairs are supplying the Library with a bookshop. So why not solve those Christmas present dilemmas or buy a book and 'escape' inside the pages away from all the hassle. 
Prizes to be won. How would you like to own a copy of Lord of the Rings or a title from the Harry Potter collection!! Either receive your free raffle ticket with any purchase or buy your ticket(s) at 20p each.
Your support for this venture will be much appreciated. The Library fiction section will also receive a boost as a result.
Please put the dates in your diary and remember to bring in your money.
Nestle Cereal 'Box Top' collection. This is now under way and thanks to those who are already sending in tokens. Please hand these in at the School Office or to the Librarian direct.
Apologies to pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 and their parents for the delay in receiving the books ordered during November.
Mrs L George - Librarian

PFA

Hi everyone, a very BIG THANK YOU goes to all of you who supported our last fundraising event - the Wine and Wisdom Evening. The main hall was packed. There was plenty of wine but not too much wisdom on my part but luckily I wasn't in anyone's team. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening.
As we said in the November newsletter the main focus of our fundraising for the next year will be to raise funds to assist the school in purchasing a replacement minibus.
The minibus is very important to the school. Not only does it transport the football and rugby teams to away matches but it is also used for educational school trips that would otherwise be more expensive, or even worse cancelled.
You will be pleased to know the Wine and Wisdom Evening raised £542.
Our next fundraising event, and final one of this year, is the Christmas draw. You all received a book of tickets to sell via your sons. Please will you return the stubs to the school by the 14th December.
The Carol Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held at 8.00 pm on the 19th December in Charlton Church and afterwards there will be mince pies and coffee.
All that remains to be said is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of the committee members of the PFA.
Mrs J Gambrell - Chairman

200 CLUB

The winners of the November draw are as follows:
1st Mr & Mrs Reeves (96) £25, 2nd Mrs M Dowie (47) £15 and 3rd Mr C MacDonald (65) £10.

UNDER 16 CHESS TEAM

The School's Under 16 Chess Team fought a close match with King Ethelbert's of Birchington. Drawing the game 2½ to 2½, the boys continue to improve and are looking forward to the big game against Simon Langton of Canterbury. 
The team was: Vahe Aliev and Ho Man (Year 10), James Rickman (Year 9), Richard Biggs (Year 8) and the young and impressive débutante Thomas Fitzpatrick of Year 7.
Mr J Gaskell - Acting Subject Leader for History

CCF

Recruit Weekend. On the 16th-18th November thirty five youngsters from Dover Grammar School for Boys, Dover Grammar School for Girls and Astor School spent the weekend completing their recruit training for the CCF.
The CCF runs two sections, the Army and the RAF. Over the weekend the recruits were tested on their uniform upkeep, the rank structure of the Army and RAF, the history of the Army and RAF, general security matters, drill and basic weapons handling.
At the end of the training a Passing Out Parade was held at the school. Seventy parents, family members and friends attended in order to watch the recruits gain their beret badges.
Three trophies were awarded:
1) Best Effort - RCT Taylor (DGSG)
2) Most Improved - RCT Odell (DGSB)
3) Best Overall Recruit - RCT Lowe (DGSG)
All the recruits gained a certificate and they then marched past the crowd who applauded in recognition of their achievements.
The CCF meets for parade on Fridays from 16.00 - 18.30 with an optional corp of drums until 19.30.

PLEASE NOTE:
Christmas Lunch

Tickets for the Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 18th December are still available. (Entry to the dining hall on this date will be solely for ticket holders).
Tickets are priced at £2.50 for pupils.
Dates for your diary
Autumn Term ends: Friday 21st December
Spring Term commences: Monday 7th January 2002

SPORTS NEWS

Football
1st XI v Norton Knatchbull G.S. - Wednesday 28th November at Ashford
This was another excellent win for the team. Two goals within the first five minutes rather sealed the opposition's fate and by half time we had put four more goals past their keeper. In the second half only one goal was scored by Kevin Fielding. Mentally we had run out of steam and their keeper had made some excellent saves.
Year 7 2nd round County Cup Football - Thursday 29th November
With Sir Roger Manwood's dropping out of the competition this in fact was our first match. The team played away against Chaucer School, Canterbury. On a wet sloping pitch we took a while to settle down and made several good attacks on their goal without success. A penalty was awarded for handbal but this was not put away. Turning around in the second half and playing down the slop with the light fading, Nick Blackman scored a fine goal after a good build up to give us a close win.
The team is now through to play Canterbury High in the next round by 12th January at home.
Improvements need to be made in our defensive play as we looked rather opn to fast breaks on several occasions against the Chaucer School.
Mr M R Grant - Subject Leader for PE & Games

STOP PRESS:

Football - 1st XI v Oakwood Park G.S. on Wednesday 5th December
Another good win for the 1st XI with 3 goals being scored in our favour on a very muddy pitch and with an injury weakened side. 
Well done to all team members. Simon Shepherd has now scored 21 goals over the season.
CONGRATULATIONS go to the following boys for their achievements on the rugby field:
James Field who made the full Kent squad, the only U16 player to do so this year.
Edward Close and Chris Lucas who made the East Kent Development Squad.
Luke Meredith and Paul Cairns who are both playing for the full Kent U15 side this season. 
Mr M R Grant - Subject Leader for PE & Game