Focus No. 4

I am writing the first part of this contribution to ‘Focus’ at 11pm on Thursday March 31, having just arrived home following the Under 15s football team’s glorious win in the Kent Cup. What an evening! Thanks go to Dover Athletic for the use of their ground, to the many supporters who turned out to support the boys, to Mr Howe for all his hard work and most of all to the boys in the team. Every one of them played their hearts (and legs) out and they played the game in a great sporting manner. They were a credit to the school. I don’t think I have been so nervous since the last three minutes of a certain European Cup Final in 1999. Stephen Grant’s golden goal with a minute to go to the end of extra time… well, what can I say? Brilliant, just brilliant! A better match report is included in the later pages of ‘Focus’.

The Chair of Governors has written to you with the news of the school’s new headteacher, Mrs Sally Lees and we have arranged to work closely in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth handover and a crisp start to learning in September.

Finally, the great news we’ve been waiting for – confirmation of Kent County Council’s capital contribution to the school’s building development programme. £250,000 for 2004/5 and the same amount for 2005/6 – ensuring a continuous programme of improvement over at least the next two years. I know that Mrs Lees is anxious to secure yet more funding for the school. It is important that the school retains and enhances the lovely traditional parts of the building whilst updating the accommodation on all levels. This is an exciting time for Dover Grammar School for Boys.

Monday 26 April	Term Begins
Friday 30 April	Sixth Form Data Reports Issued By This Day
Monday 3 May	May Day Bank Holiday
Tuesday 4 May to Friday 7 May	Year 9 KS3 Tests
Monday 10 May	Year 10 Reports Issued This Week
Friday 14 May	Exam Period Commences
Thursday 20 May to Friday 21 May	Year 10 Enterprise Day
Friday 21 May to Friday 28 May	A Level and GCSE Examinations
Monday 24 May to Friday 28 May	Year 10 Work Experience
Friday 28 May	Term Ends
Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June	Half Term Holiday
Monday 31 May	Spring Bank Holiday
Monday 7 June	Term Begins

Thank you to all those who took part in the annual library Lenten Appeal Quiz. I will let you know the amount raised by the Library in the next newsletter.

A big thanks to all who have so kindly donated vouchers. The final collection was sent off at the end of March. Hopefully a cheque will find it’s way to us soon. Money will be used to buy a selection of fiction titles.

The collection has got off to a good start. Every voucher helps, so please employ the assistance of as many friends and relatives as possible. The aim is to procure at least one computer for the Library Resource Area. Your support is always appreciated.

In response to my request for suitable unwanted books to add to the library stock I thank those pupils and parents who have so kindly done so to date.

The school’s musicians and singers have been busy this term performing at two concerts. The Big Band, Orchestra and Junior Wind Band were joined by soloists to present the annual Spring Concert in the School Hall on Wednesday 17 March at 7.30 pm. Once again, this event was very well attended and in addition to the ensemble items, the audience were treated to solos performed by students on a variety of instruments including electric guitar, violin, saxophone, flute, piano and cello. The standard of music making at this concert was commendably high and all students who took part are to be congratulated on their commitment to the school’s music.

On Thursday 1 April the DGSB Singers and Illumina were joined by the School String Quartet and soloists to present a varied programme of choral and instrumental music in the magnificent setting of St Mary’s Parish Church, Dover. The combined vocal forces of Illumina and the DGSB Singers totalled around fifty singers and choral repertoire performed included well known anthems and motets by Bach and Mozart coupled with Spirituals and short pieces by Tallis, Vaughan Williams and Rutter. Solo items included performances for cello, flute and organ. A highlight of this concert was the polished and professional performance from the School String Quartet. The quartet performed a Chacony by Henry Purcell and joined with the choir for performances of some of the choral music. It was encouraging to see a large and appreciative audience for this concert which I hope will become an annual event for the school in St Mary’s Church.

Dates for your Diary:
Saturday 3 July – 7.30 pm		A Recital of Music for Organ and Strings at St Clement’s Church, Sandwich. Music by Bach and Vierne performed on the 1995 Nicholson Organ by Richard Davies. Music for strings and organ performed by students and staff from Dover Grammar School for Boys directed by Paul Baldock. Admission: £5 (£3 concessions) by programme on the door.
Friday 9 July – 7.30 pm		A Summer Gala Concert, Dover Town Hall. A joint concert featuring musicians from the Dover Grammar Schools. Combined Orchestra, Combined Big Band and Combined Choir. Solos and ensemble items performed by students. Admission by ticket available from the two schools.
Wednesday 14 July – 4.00 pm		Junior Prizegiving in the School Hall.

The UK Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, held in February, and attracting over 180,000 entries in total, resulted in the expected outcome for the DGSB entries with eight Gold Certificates awarded, twenty five Silver and 23 Bronze.

Gold certificates Year 11 went to Jo Grilli, Paul Ayling, Sam Best and Andy Arter.

Silver to Joseph Laycock, Joe Hurling, Nick Thatcher, Alex Rodgers, Simon Cullen, Mike Knott, Jamie Phillips and Mark Ritson.

Bronze to Sam Milcoy, Andy Davison, Dan O’Neill, Dan Huxtable, Mark Stamp, Andrew Ward, Stuart Ferguson, Edward Haste and Richard Williamson.

In Year 10 Gold went to Luke Clark and Ben Walker whilst Wesley Levesley, Ashley Cooper, James Smith, Tom Kent, Alastair Walker, Matthew Wraight, Michael Schlamm, Lewis Clewlow, Samuel Coughlan, James Sherred, Arian Beqiri and Richard Biggs.

Nathan Cotter, James Jolliffe, Thomas Pressnell, Nick Shaw and Ryan Porter got Bronze.

In Year 9 Kye Westgarth and Shaun Meadows were gold, Dale King, Iain MacDonald, Michael Hornsey, Freddie Reay and Luke Edwards silver, whilst Adam Hall, Jamie Reid, Anthony Hart, Stephen Golden, Chris Waite, Philip Witty, Oliver Schofield, Michael Ayrton and William Heatlie got bronze.

The best in school certificate went to Kye Westgarth who was subsequently invited to enter the International Mathematical Olympiad, whilst both Joe Grilli and Shaun Meadows have been invited to enter the European Mathematical Challenge. Results on these competitions are awaited with anticipation.

Kye’s feat of becoming best in school was all the more commendable when you remember that as a Year 9 pupil he had beaten all of Years 10 and 11! Well done Kye.

A team from the school also represented DGSB getting through to the penultimate round of the United Kingdom Maths Challenge. This was the first year the school has entered and whilst the team (Kye Westgarth, Shaun Meadows, Tarren Blake and Lloyd King,) did not get through to the finals they gave a number of well known public schools, the pupils of whose parents had paid well in excess of ten thousand pounds a year for their education, a good run for their money.

The Tuesday Lunchtime Maths Club run by Mr Frost in Computer Room 2 is going from strength to strength. Numbers attending mean that we are now looking to opening up a second computer room. This is endeavoring to cover everything from year 7 ‘catch up’, through year 10 & 11 coursework to more esoteric sixth form work, so whatever your level, if you still ‘can’t tell your R Sine from your Ellipse’ you are more than welcome.

Apologies for not keeping you all informed as to what the PFA is up to. Unfortunately the trip to the Brewery site had to be cancelled due to lack of support. However the trip to Bruges on 15 May is still on. The cost is £20 per person and you should all have received a letter giving you the details. The visit to Bruges last year was a great success with everyone having a great time.

Please give this fund raising event your support and make it a success. Spaces are limited so get your tickets sooner rather than later.

Forthcoming events in the Autumn term are a Race Night and a Wine and Wisdom evening. More details will follow nearer the time.

The PFA now has a notice board in school, which we will keep updated with events and news. Its location is at the foot of the stairs in the Lower corridor. When you enter the school go past reception and the headmistresses office through both sets of doors and down the stairs. It is also hoped that details of events and news from the PFA will appear on the school website. You can access this on www.dovergrammar.co.uk/PFA.

The next PFA meeting will be in the school library on Wednesday 28 April and then on Tuesday 15 June. Both will start at 7.00 pm. Any one wishing to come along will be most welcome.

A competition was held for all of Kent’s Year 7 students with the theme being a poster design proclaiming the importance of good behaviour on buses to and from school.

It was the second time the competition was held and in each case, one of our pupils was awarded First Prize! The winning Artwork has been used in the campaign’s publicity material and the winner was Harry Gambrell of 7 Port. Members of the public and a panel chose Harry’s work. A presentation by the KCC Passenger Transport Unit was held on 15 March during assembly to present Harry with a certificate and to congratulate him. Well done Harry!

After the Easter holidays a letter will be sent home to all parents requesting nominations for Parent Governors as there are now vacancies for three Parent Governors.

We are looking for parents who are interested in supporting the school in its work together with the extra-curricular activities that take place, for example sports day, the summer concert and junior prizegiving. These are just a few events that take place during the school year calendar.

This year’s Lenten Appeal was hugely successful with more activities organised by staff and pupils than ever before. Thanks go to the School Council, staff and pupils for their contributions of time and money. The money raised is at present being counted. There will be a feature in the next Focus newsletter, when the total amount of money raised will be announced.

Dover Grammar School wishes to thank Mick Kemp, Ashley Forecast and all other staff in allowing us to use their Stadium for the Final. The organisation, the pitch condition and the buffet were all superb. The boys will cherish this occasion for the rest of their lives and are deeply indebted to Dover Athletic for their hospitality. We hope to return next year for at least one Final.

Also, many thanks to the staff of Dover Grammar School for turning up to be stewards or for being spectators. Around half the staff were present at the game. An extra special mention to Steven King for all his hard work in helping to organise the event during the preceding weeks and for his work on the night from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm!

With a crowd approaching a record number of 400 this Final needed a real spark of genius to settle it. Kent Schools Captain Stephen Grant was to provide it with only minutes to go of extra time of this epic tussle between Kent’s top 2 sides. The game was heading for a 0-0 draw although Dover Grammar always had the edge through their enterprising passing game as opposed to the long ball tactics of the opposition. St George’s were to pay the price for relying on their offside king John Akinde.

Time and time again the District back unit of Dover – Kent, Gore, Reed and Guy - stepped up to catch him offside by yards.

Meanwhile Stephen Grant took 15 free kicks to warm up for the crucial one at the end. Ironically, Stephen’s near misses were shaping the destiny of the result as the St George’s keeper; Richard Miles was constantly adjusting his position from the goal line in preparation for the oncoming forward assault. This was to be his teams’ final downfall.

Throughout the first half the dominant features of the game were long balls from St George’s and wide running play by Dover. Both teams were thwarted by some heroic tackling by the centre halves. Indeed, excellent covering by both teams – especially by Sam Gore and Tom Kent on the edges of the box, prevented any real pattern of play emerging as both teams struggled to find the space to set up attacks. Jamie Guy and Aaron Reed were superb and fearsome in the Dover defence and they cleared cleverly to the waiting midfield players.

The game evolved into a mind game of tactics to try and steal a yard. Both teams covered intelligently and very quickly any exploitation of space. The midfield battle was almost a stalemate as a result.

Chris Keen, the Dover keeper was tested very early in the game following a powerful strike by one of the St George’s strikers. Chris parried the ball to Tom Kent who duly smacked the ball down the wing to Aidan Gregory to set up a counter attack. This was to prove a precedent for both wings for Dover. In the 9th minute Ben Walker received the ball from a Sam Gore throw in and tried to lob the St George’s keeper. Ben’s shot agonisingly hit the crossbar on the right side. ‘Anything you can do…’ St George’s responded in the 9th minute by hitting the Dover crossbar direct from an awesome free kick on the left wing.

Throughout the next 10 minutes Jamie Guy and Aaron Reed made numerous copybook cover tackles to snuffle any St George’s attacks. In one attack Craig Higgins was cynically brought down following a great run deep into the St George’s half but Stephen Grant’s free kick just skimmed the crossbar.

Many Dover attacks followed, set up by the Dover ‘Van Gogh’s’ Stephen Grant and Sammy Brannan. Stephen cut through the opposition with some mesmerising and penetrating runs to set his forwards free. Sammy battled on the ground and in the air to create space in the condensed midfield battleground. Aidan Gregory and Ben Walker closed down the St George’s wingers to prevent most attacks down the line. Meanwhile the last 5 minutes of the 1st half saw Akinde repeatedly get caught by the excellently worked Dover offside trap orchestrated by Aaron Reed and Jamie Guy. Aaron and Jamie also cleared every aerial attack with great effect. Indeed Aaron Reed seemed to get head and shoulders above everyone and direct his headers to Sammy.

After a much needed 10-minute half time interval, Dover almost scored, courtesy of Craig Higgins. The ever-accurate long throw in from Sam Gore was thumped high and long over the St George’s defence by Jamie Guy for Craig Higgins to latch on to.

The ball seemed to stick too close to Craig’s feet. This plus the fact that he was hotly pursued by the St George’s defence meant that he had to shoot early as the keeper advanced at him very rapidly. Craig’s shot went just wide of the right hand upright. This was a real let off for St George’s. They immediately responded by forcing 2 excellent saves from Chris Keen.

The first substitution was made after 16 minutes into this half. Lloyd Stevenson replacing the tiring Craig Higgins. The nippy Sammy Brannan was moved up as a forward leaving Lloyd to partner Stephen Grant. Lloyd ‘Simpson’ soon got to work by doing what he does best - hassling the opposition midfield.

During the next 10 minutes Dover were put under a fair amount of pressure by the St George’s midfield. Dover’s defence though were resolute and unyielding. Tom Kent was in inspiring form and time and time again he set up Aidan Gregory on the right wing whilst Sam Gore looked invincible on the left and had the ability to set up numerous counter attacks down the touchline where Ben Walker and Matthew Wraight were waiting. During this spell Tom Cakebread was brought on to take Matthew Wraight’s place up front. Matthew had worked exceedingly hard in the little space that he was given to try and feed the ball into the 6 yard area. Tom Cakebread was soon in the action alongside Sammy Brannan, trying to break through the opposition stronghold.

A firecracker set off outside the ground sparked some serious attacking by the St George’s forwards. The inspired Theo Kennedy sent a deep cross into the Dover area, which Chris Keen had to come out to. Unfortunately Chris collided with their striker leading to a St George’s penalty – OH NO!

With only 7 minutes to go this looked like the end for the Dover team. Luckily for Dover the kick hit the left hand upright and rebounded to the striker, who chested it down for a second chance. The referee awarded a free kick to Dover for the double touch offence. - PHEEEW!

The last 5 minutes of the game was played out at a frantic pace with both teams coming close to scoring. Tom Cakebread tried on many occasions to get through the entrenched St George’s defence. The game had now moved nervously into Golden Goal extra time.

St George’s tested Chris Keen with an immediate fierce shot straight from the restart. This was comfortably saved. Akinde ruled the roost for the next 7 minutes – getting caught offside with every St George’s attack. During this spell Dover skipper Grant had to be treated for cramp. The last of Dover’s substitutions was made – the speedy and elusive Ryan Porter coming on for the ill Sammy Brannan. Sammy did well to turn up for this having been off sick for the last 2 days. Unfortunately this meant that Sam Coughlan and John Ellender couldn’t be used under the 3 from 5 ruling. Their contribution to this Cup run throughout the season was immeasurable. Sorry lads. Ryan Porter and Tom Cakebread continued to tirelessly chase everything during their short time on the field – doing their job and making it hard for St George’s to mount any attacks.

The 2nd period of the extra time was marked by a significant migration of Dover supporters to the St George’s goal end. Led by the 4 tenors Stephen King, Richard Hayward, Mike Marsh, Firas Nasr and other ‘characters’ the Dover supporters rallied with some fine renditions of ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘other’ unmentionable songs to try and force a goal to settle this tense affair. They were about to be rewarded in fine style.

Before the final kick Chris Keen earned his man of the match award with a series of top draw saves as the St George’s strike force desperately tried to win the game. For one particular shot Chris had to dive to his right and hold the shot low to the ground to stop the marauding forwards from collecting their spoils.

With barely 3 minutes to go the enterprising and aptly named Tom Kent was fouled 50 metres out from the St George’s goal on the right hand side. Stephen Grant stepped up to place the ball and then spent a little longer than normal to compose himself for the kick.

Meanwhile the St George’s keeper had positioned himself several metres out of his goal to get ready to cover the ball into the area. Stephen had lulled him into this with previous crosses – or so the story goes!

Stephen struck the ball perfectly and with a little more venom than previously. The ball hung mockingly in the still night air for a moment, deliberately veiled in the glare of the Dover Floodlights, before dropping perfectly over the backtracking keeper to slide quietly down the back of the net. The moment was surreal and etched on the minds of all who could see it. In the blink of an eye the game was won; the long wait for immortality for this team was over; the 23-year drought for Kent success had ended.

The ball slipping silently and gracefully down the net was in stark contrast to the sheer noise and angular movements of Stephen, the rest of the team, and everyone else - and their dogs- trying to get to the by-line to celebrate with the faithful fans that by now were ecstatic.

See the last page of Focus for photos of both the Dover Grammar School for Boys and St George’s C of E School football teams.

The football, Rugby and Cross Country House Match Results will appear in the next edition of the FOCUS.

This lunchtime club will recommence in the Summer Term and is open to all year boys. Mr Thompson will run the club between 1.00 and 1.30 pm. The day has still to be decided but this club will commence in the 2nd week back. Remember, you have to take part in correct PE kit and take your shoes off outside in the gym corridor.

Next Term the activities on offer will be Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket and Softball. For all of these the boys will need their Athletics House vests and appropriate trainers.

These will be held this year at the Julie Rose Stadium, Ashford. This Event will take place very early next Term. If you are serious about competing try to invest in proper athletics shoes or spikes so that you can do yourself justice at this grand venue. This event is normally for Years 9 and 11.

This event will be at an athletics track near Maidstone probably within the first two weeks back next Term. This event will normally be for boys in years 8 and 10.

The District Year 7 Championships are in July at Astor. There will be many other athletics matches in between for all ages.

4 Feb	1^st X1	A	C Newman (Hove)	ESFA Rd 6	Lost	2-4
7 Feb	U12	A	C Dickens	K Cup Q F	Lost	2-5
7 Feb	U14	A	St Pauls	K Cup S F	Lost	1-6
7 Feb	U15	H	Valley Park	K Cup S F	Won	4-0
14 Feb	U16	H	Kemnal Tech	K Cup Q F	Won	3p-3
6 Mar	1^st X1	A	Tunbridge Wells GS	K Cup S F	Won	3-1
31 Mar	U15	H	St George’s	K Cup Final	Won	1-0
3 Apr	U16	A	Harvey GS	K Cup S F	Lost	1-2

Year 7	K Beasley Trophy	Q Final	Out	Last 8/91
Year 9	W Armory Cup	S Final	Out	Last 4/90
Year 10	Portex Trophy	Final	Won	Last 1/93
Year 11	Invicta Trophy	S Final	Out	Last 4/84
1^ST X1	White Cup	Final	In	Last 2/55

Under 14	Under 14 Trophy	Round 6	Out	Last 32/600 in England
1^ST X1	Under 18 Trophy	Round 6	Out	Last 32/600 in England

Year 7	1^st	CHAMPIONS
Year 8	1^st	CHAMPIONS
Year 9	1^st	CHAMPIONS
Year10/11	3^rd

Sandwich	7	V	5	Dover GS
Walmer	10	V	74	Dover GS
Manwoods	38	V	7	Dover GS

N KNATCHBULL	52	V	0	DOVER GS
DOVER GS	W/o	V	0	ST ANSELMS
CASTLE	17	V	20	DOVER GS
DOVER GS	7	V	60	MANWOODS

PENT VALLEY	7	V	31	DOVER GS
DOVER GS	34	V	14	CASTLE
ASTOR		V	W/O	DOVER GS

C Newman (Hove)

Lost

C Dickens

K Beasley Trophy

Q Final

CHAMPIONS

Sandwich

V

V

DOVER GS

V

V