FOCUS

Half-Term Newsletter

Issue 6 - JULY 2004

Headteacher’s Foreword

Is it one of life’s mysteries? With each extra year on one’s age so the time it takes a year to pass is shorter? This year has, literally, flown and I am very sorry to be submitting my last article to Focus.

I would like to thank the Governors for trusting me with their school, the Staff for working so hard with me to move the school forward, Parents for their support and criticisms which all help to improve what we do, but most of all my thanks to the boys.

I have had the chance, this year, to meet a student body that cannot fail to impress - their ability, humour and commitment are excellent and I know, with Sally Lees as Headteacher, Dover Boys is going to thrive.

The boys have amused me, driven me mad, impressed me and moved me and I thank them for the great part they’ve played in this year as part of this community.

I have found this year very difficult - balancing the role of Head in two institutions was, I know now, a challenge too far. However I have met some wonderful people and learnt much about the work I do and about myself. I have no regrets about taking on the challenge - my only regret is I couldn’t meet it.

It goes without saying that I wish all of Dover Boys much success and I look forward to hearing of the school’s rise up those league tables.

Julia Bell – Headteacher
 

A message from the Headteacher Designate

Dear Parents and Students

I am very pleased to be writing in my first Focus Newsletter as Head of Dover Grammar School for Boys. As I said to the students in assembly this week, I am very proud to have been appointed to this position. Dover Grammar School for Boys is a school with a proud history, and strong traditions, and it is also a school with a very bright future. I am looking forward to being part of that future. I have had the privilege of joining the school half a term early, so have been in and around school since the beginning of June. I have enjoyed meeting many of the students, and starting to get to know everyone here. I already feel very much at home, and I am enjoying the wonderful views from my office window!

I would like to pay tribute to Mrs Bell who has taken care of the school over the last year, and has made such an impact on the school in a relatively short time. I am sure you will want to join me in wishing her the very best for her future as Head of Fort Pitt Grammar School in Medway.

New Buildings
The programme of refurbishment begun by Mrs Bell will be continuing over the next few years. Next year the toilets and changing rooms will be completely refurbished, and the reception area of the school will be improved. Science labs and classrooms will be modernised and decorated. Further work is planned for the following year. I am determined that this impressive building will soon provide the facilities our students really deserve.

New Staff
In September, I will be joined by several other new staff. With me on the Senior Leadership Group will be Mr Simon Pullen, who is coming from Senacre Technology College in Maidstone and will be Deputy Head of the school, Mr Gary Potter who you already know and Mrs Teresa Birchley who joins us from the Ramsgate School. We are delighted that Mrs Margaret Young who has done such an excellent job in the school over the last two terms will be staying on at the school for another term.

Other staff who will be joining us include Miss Daisy Maund who will be Head of Religion and Mr Lee Sanders who will teach Science.

Goodbyes
We say goodbye to a number of staff this term, some of whom have been at the school for a long time. Mr Richard Sewell will be retiring after 24 years at the school, and Mr Malcolm Grant is also retiring after an impressive 30 years’ service. Mr Mike Harrison, Mme Marie Mangenot, Mr Paul Nazir, Mr Stephen Thompson and Mr Graham Old will be moving on to new posts. Mrs Sue Faulkner and Mrs Kate Curtis will also be leaving at the end of the term. We thank them all for all their work at the school and wish them the best for the future.

We also say goodbye to the students who are leaving us having completed their exams. We wish them every success with their results, and trust they will enjoy the next step in their education or choice of work.

Achievements
I am very encouraged by all the successes achieved by students at the school in the short time I have been here. Elsewhere in the newsletter you will find full details of all the sporting achievements, which are truly impressive. Two excellent concerts have also taken place and by the time you read this I will have experienced my first Junior Prizegiving at which we will have a chance to congratulate our highest achievers and those who have contributed to the school in a variety of ways.

A couple of reminders
Can I remind you that students are expected to abide by the full school uniform/dress code. The holiday is a good time to make sure all uniform is as smart as it should be ready for September. May I also remind all students that visible body piercings are not allowed in school, so any piercings done over the holiday must be healed up in time for the start of term so that all jewellery can be removed. The same is true of dyed hair. If students wish to dye hair over the holiday, they must make sure the dye been removed by the start of term.

Happy Holidays
Finally, a reminder that the first day of term for students is Friday 3 September. I hope you all have a very enjoyable and relaxing holiday and I look forward to seeing all the students again in September.

With best wishes

Sally Lees – Headteacher Designate

Library News

A big thank you to all parents, pupils and friends of the school who have collected Tesco Computer Vouchers since the beginning of the year. An order has now been placed for two computers in the Library Resource Area and should be up and running during September/October.

‘Box Tops’ on Nestlé cereal boxes are available once again so please collect these during the holidays as they are redeemed for cash to purchase new fiction.

The library refurbishment phase 1 is in progress. Hopefully the boys will see great changes on their return in September.

Voluntary Library Assistant Vacancy

When school restarts in September the school library is looking to recruit some voluntary assistance to help maintain and develop an even more efficient and effective library service to the school community.

Work undertaken would aim to complement and support the initiatives already carried out by the Librarian and team of pupil librarians.

Tasks may include, with supervision and training, jobs of a mainly clerical and administrative nature, although personal or creative skills and initiatives would be encouraged.

• Issue and return of resources
• Use of the computer
• Stock record maintenance
• Shelving and generally keeping the environment neat and tidy
• Preparing resources for inclusion to stock
• Assisting with book orders
• Helping to produce booklists

If you think you might be interested or know somebody who is and would enjoy the challenge and opportunity to work alongside staff and pupils and make a difference please contact Mrs Linda George, School Librarian at the school and have an initial informal chat. Hours would be negotiable.

Wishing you all a good holiday.

Mrs LK George-Librarian

Notes from the Mathematics Surgery

Dear Doctor Maths,

My son informs me that his brain is more powerful than the biggest supercomputer. Why is it that his recent exam would suggest that he is incapable of doing the most basic mathematics?

Dear Mrs Smith,

Whilst your son is indeed blessed with great computing power his brain did not come supplied with the software to perform basic mathematical functions. Unfortunately this software cannot be simply bought in the High Street and installed.

Knowledge is the human software and whilst it is available locally, it can only be obtained through dedicated study and learning.

Once installed human software can be continually updated, adapted and enhanced to best meet your individual needs. This software rarely crashes.

For those willing to pay the price DGSB Mathematics Department are offering to install all necessary software and throw in a guaranteed high grade GCSE.

Apply to your local mathematics teacher. No time wasters please.

Second Hand Uniform

Should any one have any unwanted/outgrown items of school uniform (particularly rugby shirts) in good, clean condition please donate these to the PFA so that they may be sold on to others.

Parents may come to the school on a Tuesday or Thursday to inspect the items for sale. Please call the school office to make an appointment prior to your visit.

Music

The school’s musicians and singers have recently presented two very successful concerts.

On Saturday 3 July a Recital of Music for Organ and Chamber Ensemble took place in St Clement’s Church, Sandwich. This concert was organised as part of the 2004 series of recitals featuring the magnificent 1995 Nicholson Organ in St Clement’s Church. Mr Davies was the organ soloist in music by Bach, Franck and Vierne. This varied repertoire exploited the full potential of the organ with a variety of timbres and textures. A Chamber Ensemble drawn from students and staff of the school gave polished performances of music by Purcell, Bach and Handel. It was good to welcome Mrs Lees as a viola player in this ensemble and to welcome back Mr Slater who played the oboe. Solo items at the concert were provided by Aaron Hobday (flute) and David Buhler (cello). In addition, Miles Brett gave a spirited performance of a challenging violin concerto by Vivaldi accompanied by the chamber ensemble and harpsichord.

A few days later on Friday 9 July Dover Town Hall was the splendid venue for a Joint Summer Gala Concert presented by the two Dover Grammar Schools. This was the first time such a concert has been organised between the schools and was very well attended by an appreciative audience. Musicians from both schools combined to perform as a joint orchestra in movements from Mussorksky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Verdi’s Grand March from Aida. Illumina sang music by Vaughan Williams, Schubert and Rutter and combined with the DGSB String Ensemble to give a moving account of Mozart’s Ave verum Corpus. The concert concluded with a Combined Big Band performing well-known music for swing band. Solo items for flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello were performed by students from both schools. The concert was very successful and we certainly hope to repeat the event in the future.

Mr P Baldock - Director of Music

Exchange Visits

We are hoping to renew our exchange visits with the College St Pierre. These did not take place recently due to circumstances beyond our control. The pupils currently in Years 8 and 9 are therefore invited to take part in a 3-day exchange. The French party will come first – in the latter part of September, to arrive on the Thursday and return home on the Saturday (with a full day trip to London on the Friday). Our return visit will take place mid-October. We normally leave on the Sunday morning, go on a trip all day on the Monday and return on the Tuesday afternoon. If your son is interested in taking part, he will need to collect a letter from me at the beginning of the year. Bonnes vacances.

Mrs MR Hargrave – French Teacher

Visit to Brasenose College, Oxford

During the last week of June, four members of the Sixth Form were lucky enough to spend three days at Brasenose College, Oxford, living the student life and getting to know what Oxford University is really all about.

A total of about 40 students from only 10 schools in the country were able to attend the ‘Arts Master Classes’ in four subject areas – Law, English, Modern Languages and Classics, meaning groups of 6 to 10 per subject.

We had two lawyers and two classicists and both groups experienced a diverse range of activities. The lawyers had lectures on contract law and human rights as well as visiting the Oxford Crown Court to get a flavour for law in practice. The highlight of their time was the highly contested Mock Trial where the defence barrister (Olly Mayes) somehow managed to prevent the obviously guilty (so it seemed) suspect from conviction.

The classicists spent a lot of time doing research around the recently discovered Domitianus II coin found near Oxford earlier this year. It was immensely valuable to gain experience of using all the resources including the vast college library. We were also treated to visits to the Ashmolean Museum and Cast Gallery, housing, amongst other things, many Greek and Roman antiquities.

Both groups also had the opportunity to watch a mock interview for their subject which was very reassuring knowing that they want to talk about what you want to talk about – not some subject in which you know nothing.

Fortunately, we weren’t worked too hard and had some time to explore both Brasenose College itself and the city of Oxford. The JCR (Junior Common Room) was the place to experience great pain whilst watching Tim Henman or challenge other schools to a game of pool. The food was excellent and despite eating in the wood-panelled and somewhat overawing dining room, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Fortunately, Mr Haines managed not to get drunk on the huge amount of wine the tutors seemed to be pouring down his throat! The rooms (in college) varied from almost palatial (with four armchairs and a sink in the cupboard) to box-like but all were comfortable and the facilities were excellent.

The experience has left all four of us much happier about applying to Oxford and we all now hope that is where we will end up in September 2005.

By Ken Birmingham (12 DR), Ruth Harley (Lower Sixth, Dover Grammar School for Girls), Chris Leach (12 JS) and Olly Mayes (12 DM)

Kent Schools Athletics Championships 2004

Inter High Jump Andrew McKay - 1st Gold
Junior Shot Putt Adam Hall - 2nd Silver
Junior Hammer James Franks - 2nd Silver
Inter Triple Jump Ben Walker - 3rd Bronze
Inter Discus Lee Aicken - 5th
Inter Javelin Jamie Phillips - 7th

Well done to our six athletes, who did the school proud.

A special mention to Andrew McKay for an outstanding competition. Andrew set a new school record and is now the Kent Champion!

Kent Schools Under 15 Athletics Team Championships

Provisional Results - Sat 10th July

1. Judd 833
2. Dover Grammar 826

Last year Dover won with only 813 points. The standard this year was much higher by Dover and Judd. For your information this competition is based on the 5-star Award system. Three other schools competed but were someway behind the top 2. The team were disappointed to finish 2nd as it was a mixed day of below par performances mixed with many fine personal bests. Highlights of the day were Michael Kelly beating his 800m pb by over 14 secs to record 2:23. Michael then recorded a great 200m time of 27secs – this was only 20 minutes after the 800m!; Daniel Allen beating the school Year 8 Javelin record with a splendid throw of over 35 metres. The school record was set in 1987; Anthony Hart decimating the school Year 9 Javelin record by 9 metres with over 39 metres to beat his competition pb by over 10 metres!. His throw would have placed him in the top 7 in the English Schools Championships in Gateshead on Friday. On the track David Close got close to breaking the 26-second barrier in the 200m. Adam Hall and John Ellender also scored very well with 80 points or more in all their events.

Overall this was a splendid performance by Dover. It must be pointed out that last week Judd were runners up in the National TSB Final! That team included many of the Under 15 team. Well done to all the athletes.

Kent Schools TSB Athletics Cup 2004

Junior Boys Final

1. Kelsey Park 358
2. Dover Grammar 335
3. Dartford Grammar 313
4. Chatham Grammar 298
5. Brockhill Park 291
6. Harvey Grammar 248

Following an unfortunate fall by one of our hurdlers – losing over 20 points, the team rallied throughout the competition to finish a really close second to Kelsey Park. The highlight of this competition was the very high quality of the field events and the big improvements made by many athletes who have trained hard this term. Well done on a splendid 2nd position. The Inter boy’s team finished in 4th place with only half the team available on the day.

Powell Trophy 2004

1. Duke of York 142
2. Dover Grammar 138
3. Manwoods 137
4. Astor 97
5. St Edmunds 70
6. Archers Court 39

Another great 2nd place but with 2 key athletes missing it could have been much better. Highlights of the day were Adam Hall’s splendid 11.66m Shot Putt, Elliot Brown’s fine High Jump of 1.45m and Daniel Allen, Michael Kelly and Sam Douglas winning their Year 8 events. Many good performances here suggest we could gain some great results later in the season.

A lesson to all athletes – if you are not sure if the Competition is on see Mr Howe only – do not listen to gossip.

Summary Of Sporting Successes For 2003-2004

Football

English Schools Trophies
600 schools in each Trophy

Under 14 - Reached last 32- Round 6
1st X1 - Reached last 32 - Round 6

Kent Cups 90 - 100 Schools in each Cup

Under 12 - Quarter Finalists
Under 14 - Semi Finalists
Under 15 - Winners
Under 16 - Semi Finalists - Cup 1
Under 16 - Quarter Finalists - Cup 2
2nd X1 - Quarter Finalists
1st X1 - Winners (Shared)

Rugby

East Kent Rugby Leagues

Under 12 - 3rd
Under 14 - Winners
Under 16 - Runners up

Cross Country

Dover and Folkestone Leagues

Year 7 - Winners
Year 8 - Winners
Year 9 - Winners

South East Kent Championships

Junior Boys - Winners
Inter Boys - Winners

Athletics

Kent U15 Cup - Runners up

Kent TSB Cup

Under 14 - Runners up

South East Kent Championships

Under 17 - Winners

Powell Trophy - Runners up

The Sports Day Results will be included in the next Focus.

Wayne Howe
Subject Leader for Physical Education