FOCUS

Half-Term Newsletter

Issue 7 - October 2004

Dear Parents and Students

What an exciting half-term this has been with so many new things going on at the school. DGSB has an almost entirely new Senior Leadership Team which inevitably means lots of changes! Staff and students have been adapting to the many new developments and have responded very positively to all that has been going on. We have a new behaviour policy which sets out clear expectations of behaviour for our students, and rewards their positive efforts with commendations and distinctions as before, and the new congratulations postcards which are sent home. Perhaps you have received one already! Our Learning Centre is now up and running, providing support for students who are encountering problems with their learning. There are a lot of refurbishments taking place around the building. You will have noticed the new foyer area which provides a welcoming entrance to the school. More of the classrooms have been refurbished, we have new boilers, and any day now work begins on the changing rooms and toilets.

This term we have launched our Business and Enterprise Specialist Status bid. We are preparing to submit a bid in March which, if we are successful, will bring significant funding into the school and will enable us to increase the ICT provision in the school and provide the students with lots of opportunities to develop knowledge and skills to prepare them for their future. We have set the students the challenge of raising £20 each to go towards the £50,000 we have to raise. Already they are coming forward with creative ideas as to how to raise this money. Parents, Governors and Old Pharosians are all playing their part in helping us develop our bid and raise the money we need.

The latest news is that we are to have an Ofsted inspection during the week beginning 29 November. You will shortly be receiving an invitation to a special parents' meeting at which you can meet with the Registered Inspector and express your views about the school. You also have questionnaires to complete, which give another opportunity to say what you think about the school. The parents' meeting takes place on Monday 8 November, at 7.00 pm. The questionnaires need to be returned to the school by Friday 5 November. The students will also be given questionnaires to complete so that they can also give their opinion of the school to the Inspectors. We are confident that the Inspectors will recognise the strengths of this unique school.

We had a very successful Open Evening when prospective students and their parents visited the school. Our current students, helping out on the evening, gave an excellent impression of the school and we have had a lot of positive feedback.

Sport has got off to an excellent start this term - you will see a summary of the results so far elsewhere in this newsletter.

We are very pleased that a large number of parents attended the recent Year 10 and Year 8 Curriculum Evenings. The attendance at the Year 12 evening was not so good, and we are planning a second opportunity for all our 6th form students and their parents to come into the school to learn how to make the most of 6th form study and find out about the other opportunities available to our senior students.

Thank you for your continuing support. Please contact us if you have any concerns, we are very happy to hear from you.

Sally Lees - Headteacher


New Staff:

Term Dates for 2005 - 2006
The LEA has now published the term dates for next year. You will notice that schools in Kent are moving to a six term year. We will let you know the additional staff development dates later on.
 

A few reminders from the Governors

The Governors have a responsibility to ensure that we provide a curriculum which includes sex and relationship education, religious education, citizenship and careers education. These areas are all covered through our PSHE and RE lessons. By law, parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE or assemblies because of religious reasons. They also have the right to withdraw their children from sex and relationship education if they wish.

Parents have a right to view any of our school policies although we would ask that this is arranged by appointment.

History Trip to Weimar and Dresden
By Chris Leach of 13 DR
 

Towards the end of last term, the Year 12 History group spent a few days in the former East Germany to try and capture some idea of what life was like during World War Two for both the enemies of the Nazi regime and the ordinary German people themselves, visiting both Buchenwald concentration camp and the city of Dresden, infamous following allied bombing raids towards the end of the war.

After the flight and short journey on one of those efficient German trains, we settled into our first hostel in the city of Weimar, the place in which the post World War One government was set up. The hostel was student run and cheap so 5 star facilities were not available but there was a bed and after spending the evening soaking up the atmosphere that was all we needed.

The following morning was harrowing - Buchenwald concentration camp. Established in July 1937 and originally intended for opponents of the Nazi regime, separatists, 'mis-fits', Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses and homosexuals, the camp eventually grew to contain 136 external sites and by the liberation in 1945 250,000 men, women and children had been held captive and more than 50,000 murdered. The experience of walking through the places where the people had been kept was incredibly moving. Standing in the room where medical experiments were carried out, seating in the crematorium, walking up the parade ground where the captives had been marched twice a day with a gun bearing down on them. How people had the courage to survive, I can only imagine.

However, after the gravity of Buchenwald, the afternoon was spent in a much lighter-hearted game of football. Of course, despite Mr Gaskell's protests, his team was consigned to a heavy defeat.

Having had little sleep thanks to some very drunk and very loud Japanese tourists staying at our hostel, we boarded an even more technologically advanced train to take us to Dresden. This great city is now divided into two distinct areas - the old and the new. Some of the pre-war Dresden has survived but much is new development. Perhaps the greatest achievement in the redevelopment is the complete rebuilding of what was once the finest Protestant Cathedral in Europe - the Frauenkirche. Flattened by bombing, 8000 pieces of the original sandstone were recovered and using computer imagery, have been replaced in their exact positions along with the thousands of new stones. The effect is quite amazing as the past and present combine. The reconstruction is not quite finished but some of us decided to go into the crypt for what we thought was a guided tour… It turned out to be a 45 minute talk in German with a very limited number of visuals! The rest of our time there was spent looking round the art gallery and/or armoury museum around the historic square or sheltering from the stifling heat.

On the final day we made our way back to the city of Erfurt from where we would board the plane. From our short time there, this seemed to be a very busy city with a great atmosphere, complete with its modern tram system. This was enhanced further by one fantastic waiter who served us lunch - although we could not speak the same language, we were still able to have a laugh together (and be taught the proper way to say 'spoon'!).

We returned having experienced a great deal of the culture of East Germany which was, for the most part, very sedate and pleasant as well as a feeling of shock as to the brutality of war - from the actions of both the Nazis and the Allies.
 

Former Student Achievements

Christopher Townsend graduated this year in Geography Arts with a II/2 Honours Degree at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales.

Steven Scott has qualified for the award of the MSci Degree of the University of London with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Biotechnology.

Ritchie Hulks has obtained a Batchelor of Arts with Honours Degree (Upper Second Class Honours) in History and Politics.

Daniel Brown has obtained a Batchelor of Science Degree with Honours (First Class Honours) in Financial Mathematics.

Thomas Reay has gained a Second Class Honours Degree (Second Division) at the Cardiff School of Engineering.

Congratulations go to them all.


Modern Languages
 

French Club - for boys in all years - will be held on Wednesday lunchtime in room L6.

Help with French and German - for boys in all years - will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes in room L8.

Welcome! We wish to extend a warm welcome to Mr Vsai and Miss Albrecht, our French and German Foreign Languages Assistant and Assistante, who will be helping all of us during the course of this academic year.

L'Entente Codiale à Dover Grammar School for Boys

On Thursday 7 October, 36 boys from both Calais St Pierre and Dover Grammar School for Boys spent the afternoon in school, getting to know each other at the start of the first lap of their exchange.

They grappled not only with both languages but also with some mathematical questions kindly supplied by Mr Frost. They also explained to each other the rules and purpose of rounders, cricket, TAPE-MUR and la BALLE au PRISONNIER. A short game of la balle au prisonnier was then played by 2 French-English teams.

Friday was spent by the French pupils in Brighton, Saturday at home with the English Family.

The Dover Grammar School boys who took part will pay a return visit to their newly acquired French friends in March 2005.
Mrs F Lloyd
Subject Leader for Modern Foreign Languages

Year 9/10 3-day exchange with College St Pierre (Calais, France)

15 students took part in the exchange and hosted 18 French boys from the College St Pierre in Calais.

After treating the French party to an English school lunch, we had an afternoon of joint activities. One of them was a maths puzzle for each set of penfriends.

On the Friday, it was lessons as usual for the English students whilst the French party went to Brighton for the day. They had a useful and interesting day.

On the Saturday, many hosts had the same idea and it looks as if we should have asked for a group rate at Planet Lazer. Others took their guest to Dover Castle or other places of interest.

Late afternoon, we all met up at the Eastern Docks to bid our farewell. Our guests were very happy with their stay and the only criticism from the hosts was that they would have liked the whole of the day on Saturday to be able to go further afield.

Our students are now looking forward to going to their school in March and to be their guests in French homes.
Mrs Martine Hargrave
Head of Year 7 and Admissions

Parents and Friends Association

First I would like to thank the PFA committee members for their continual support last year in raising funds for the school. Also I would like to welcome the new members who joined us at the AGM.

Everyone is most welcome to join the PFA. Our meetings take place in the school library and the future dates are as follows:

Tuesday 11 January, Tuesday 8 March and Tuesday 21 June 2005.

Sadly the Wine and Wisdom Evening arranged for Friday 15 October had to be cancelled due to lack of support. It is a great pity as this event has been popular in the past and raised quite a bit of money for your boys at the school especially with the added benefit of the £ for £ sponsorship. Another Wine and Wisdom event is planned for 25 February 2005. Details will follow nearer the time.

Another way in which we have raised funds in the past is through the Christmas Raffle tickets. This will be the same this year. I would ask that you all try and sell at least one book. Further books can be obtained from the school office.

It may seem that you are being asked to put your hand in your pocket all of the time with one thing or another. What I would say is 'that is true'. However, all the money raised is for the sole benefit of your boys. The school provides the necessities for your son's education; the PFA wth your support can provide the extras. So far this new school year we have already approved the funding for: A multi-media PC for media studies, two DVD players with digital projectors attached for use by the History/Geography and Modern Languages (Latin and English) Departments and the minibus to be parked at the airport when the boys went on their History trip (see page 3).

So you see, without your support for the fundraising events throughout the year the above purchases would not be possible.

In order to cut down on unnecessary expenditure all existing PFA members who did not return their forms, indicating they wished to stay on the committee, and who have not attended the last few meetings will not receive minutes of the meetings from now on.
Mrs Joan Gambrell
On behalf of the PFA Committee

PFA Chocoholic's Party

On Thursday 18 November from 7.30 pm onwards there will be a Chocoholic's Party held in the School Hall. Please support this PFA fundraising evening. Come and get your Christmas presents early! All are welcome to come and sample the chocolates. Catalogues will be available from the School Office to pre-order if you are unable to attend on the night. Cheques should be made payable to Mrs S Scott. In addition to the chocolates there will be a raffle and refreshments. Please come and support the PFA and help them fundraise for your son's education. Raffle prizes would be gratefully welcomed and should be given in at the School Office as soon as possible.

The PFA committee look forward to seeing you at this fundraising evening and thank you for any support you can give this event.
Kind regards, Suzanne Jay
On behalf of the PFA Committee

Congratulations to:

Julie Wright, our Science Technician, who got married to Lee Marsden during the 2004 summer holiday.

Science Department Vacancy:

Help needed to cover maternity leave within the Science department starting the beginning of December until the end of March for a few hours a day. General washing-up and helping within the department. No experience necessary. Opportunity to learn basic technical skills if desired.

School Library News

The library has got off to a roaring start this term following the completion of another phase of our refurbishment and development plan. The next phase we are optimistic will take place during 2005. Stock has received a major boost with lots of new resources for both fiction and non-fiction covering all age ranges.

Congratulations are due to fourteen of last years 8 and 9 students who saw their names in print during July and October this year. In collaboration with myself and Mrs Grilli of the English Department a wide selection of Book Reviews were submitted to 'Teen Titles' magazines and a selection chosen by the editor to appear in the publication. When news came through it was full of praise for the selection and the overall high standard. Later this year we hope to repeat a similar exercise targeting another nationally recognised magazine promoting teenage reading and related issues.

Box Tops - With the colder weather upon us please could I remind all parents and friends of the school to collect all tokens that appear on Nestle cereal packets. Every token does help. Last year we were able to purchase a selection of fiction titles to boost stock.

Tesco Computers - Thanks to all the support we have now taken delivery of two new computers in the library. These should be ready for use after half-term.

Business Enterprise Bid - In support of this the library has chosen to run a week-long lunchtime book sale during the week beginning 15 November. To make this a success the library is looking to receive donations from pupils, staff and parents to put up for sale. All contributions will be most gratefully received. Books can be handed in directly to me in the library. Two book quizzes will also run during that week to support the bid. Topics will be Tolkien and Harry Potter and will cost 20p to enter per quiz. Thank you in anticipation.

Mrs Linda George
School Librarian


An excellent poem by
Tom Ayers of 8 Priory

My beating heart, constantly ticking
Comforts me when I am alone
I comfort others as well
They stare into my wise hands
For knowledge of time
Or something to do
For I am the voice of father time

I spread the word with brother sundial
Either silently or with great commotion

I am a loyal friend in many forms
From a wristwatch to Big Ben
From a simple bleep to a melodious chime

I am unforgiving
Speeding up when you need more time
And slowing when you tire of waiting
My little hands, they rule your lives
I am the only lord of time


Business & Enterprise Specialist School Bid

No doubt your son will have told you of our plans to apply to become a specialist school for Business & Enterprise. Earlier this term the Governors agreed that this is the way forward for the school and, those of you who attended our presentation to the PFA at their AGM in September will have left the meeting convinced of the exciting opportunities the specialist status will bring. We are planning to submit our bid for screening in January, and ratification in March. Success of the bid will bring funding and opportunities to DGSB, our partner schools & the local community.

We are determined that the bid we are preparing is a whole school bid; it involves pupils, Governors, staff, parents, Old Pharosians, local businesses (through EKEBP) and the local community. In order to be able to submit the bid we need to raise £50,000. We are asking all the above groups to help us. We have already received pledges from business, PFA, and an Old Pharosian. We need everyone to be involved and have challenged the boys to raise £20. Please support the boys with their fund raising activities - there are prizes for the most enterprising ideas.

More information to come - watch the press, school newsletters and talk to your sons.

School Council Report by Chris Leach (Chairman)

The beginning of the new school year is always difficult for the school council as it elects new members and begins to work again.

This year things have gone very well and the elections have taken place successfully both for the full school council and for the executive committee (that is, the body which oversees the work). I feel we have a particularly strong team assembled this year and the new executive committee is as follows:
Chairman - Chris Leach
Vice-Chairman - Paul Barker
Secretary - Ken Birmingham
Treasurer - Phil Neal
Training and Publicity Officer - Andrew Ward
Year Representatives - Martin Hawkins [13], Dan Philpott [12], Matt Goodbun [11], Matthew Rushton [10], Jack Williams [9], Isaak Wilson [8], Laurence Cox and Sean Sutton [7].

The work has already begun and we are already finalising proposals for a bike shed, mobile phone area/time and will be discussing canteen food and prices with the member of staff responsible at the next meeting. Of course, if you want something to happen, you just have to ask your Form Representative and he will bring it to us.
 

Instrumental Demonstration and Workshop

The first musical event of the new academic year took place on Thursday 9 September when an Instrumental Demonstration for Year 7 students took place. A number of different instruments were played by A Level music students and visiting instrumental teachers. This generated much enthusiasm from the Year 7 students and it was good to hear many questions being asked about how the various instruments are played. On Saturday 11 September Year 7 students and their parents were invited to the school to meet the music department staff informally and try some instruments. The Saturday morning workshop was very popular with a good number of students and parents attending. As a result, many students have decided to take instrumental lessons at the school.

If any students in Year 7 and their parents were unable to attend the workshop but are still interested in finding out more about instrumental lessons please ask me for an information sheet and application form.

Future Musicians Concert

Our younger students were involved in the Future Musicians Concert which was arranged for the first time this year. Performing opportunities were given to many students and it was encouraging to listen some excellent playing on a wide variety of instruments. The Training Strings, Junior Wind Band and Illumina provided ensemble items at the concert.

The Junior Wind Band gave mature and accomplished performances of well know repertoire including the James Bond Theme and Mambo No. 5. Illumina gave their first public performance of the new academic year with three songs including Double Trouble from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The Training Strings were directed by Mrs Morgan in arrangements of some lively traditional Caribbean music.

Grade Examinations

A large number of students have taken instrumental grade examinations recently. Most students learning an instrument with a member of the school's peripatetic teaching staff are entered for practical music exams through the school. Congratulations to all the following students on their exam success:
 

Forthcoming Musical Events
Saturday 6 November 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Choral Workshop with Bob Chilcott
In association with Forwoods Music
School Hall

Thursday 18 November 1:05 pm
Lunchtime Recital by AS & A2 Music Students

Wednesday 15 December 7:30 pm
A Service of Carols & Readings by Candlelight
Charlton Church, Dover

Mr P Baldock
Director of Music
 

Match Reports

Under 15s Rugby
DGSB vs Harvey GS

By the first half Dover were up by 35-5. Tries were scored by Michael Magrino, James Franks, Stephen Golden and Anthony Hart. All tries converted.

By the second half Dover were up by 64-17. Tries were scored by David Close, Anthony Hart, Stephen Golden and William Heatley. Three conversions missed by John Ellender. Great kicking especially with the bad weather.

DGSB vs Chatham GS

In the first half Dover scored three tries and were up 17-0. Near the end of the first half Chatham scored two late tries giving a half time score of 17-12. Tries were scored by Michael Magrino and Matthew Burr.

In the second half Dover let their guard down thinking it would be a comfortable win when Chatham scored another two tries due to a poor defence. Final score 24-17. Good game from Dover but Chatham proved to be too much. Excellent game for Adam Hall, Matthew Burr and Michael Magrino.

Year 10 Football
DGSB vs St Anselms Catholic School

Year 10 football kicked off today with a feisty game on a narrow pitch with extra long grass. Mr Howe had decided to try out a number of new players and the return of some old ones. Dover got off to a good start by winning the coin toss! St Anselms scored first (in fact I'm not sure we were even on the pitch), then we managed to start passing the ball around and scoring goals and at half time Mr Howe vented his feelings so Dover responded well and ran out well deserved winners.

The final score was 7-1 to Dover Grammar, a hat trick from Calum McGeehan, two from Nicholas Blackman, one from Anthony Hart and one from Samuel Douglas. A fine all round performance.
By John Ellender - Team Captain.

DGSB vs Simon Langton

On travelling to the Canterbury fixture the First XV was very anxious - it was our first game of the season with new players in the team against a school which we could not recall we last beat, if ever. However, this aside, when we arrived we looked united and ready to open our season with a win.

From the kick off Dover looked the stronger, more organised side with forwards hitting hard and the packs killing them with pace, Dover looked professional and hungry.

Opening the scoring early Dover's backs shipped the ball out for Gareth Hewer to run it in with extreme pace. With the loud bossing of Andy Arter and the strong calling from players such as Jamie Phillips and Rich Williamson Dover were very intimidating and scared the Canterbury school into silly mistakes and going backwards in attack. With play as good as this it was just a matter of time before Dover started piling on the points. With tries from James Blair and Gareth Hewer who had more than got the better of their opposition wingers, the game looked rapped up early. With conversations being hit and miss it was clear that more tries were needed and that was what happened. With an exhilarating run off the kick Captain Richard Hayward made the necessary ground and then with superb support play from Paul Ayling set him through for his first try.

With the first half coming to an end Dover looked in control and comfortable with how they were playing. The second saw some very dubious decisions but the ever-organised Dover took the decisions and used it to perform even better. In defence there were huge hits from Paul Cairns and Jamie Phillips and a nice combined effort by Rich Williamson and Richard Hayward to stop their backs.

With tries starting to roll in the points it began to look like a cricket score. Jamie Phillips scoring a good break away try and the ever-observant Adam Kew carving holes in the defence. Substitute Levi Goodey also scoring a great try after a strange decision to disallow his first. As the match drew to an end the Dover team, not even looking tired, held the pressure and used new moves such as in the line out 'Four special star ball' and this was due to superb lifting by Tom Landman and Lee Aicken. With Jacob Perry strong at full back no tries were conceded and this left a victory that couldn't have been more perfect for a start of the season, final score 48-0.

Special praise must go to the new year 11s that joined the team and strong performances from Paul Cairns, Steve Wardle and Luke Cochrane. Many thanks go to Mr Dennis. With a new manager and the incredible commitment the team is looking in good stead for the rest of the season.
By Richard Hayward - 13 DM

DGSB vs Oakwood GS
This was the biggest match that the First XV had been faced with in many years and we hadn't been able to enter the Daily Mail Cup for a variety of reasons in some time and neither had we had success in it for a very long time. So nerves were high, as was apprehension.

The ref did the necessary checks and although Dover looked under sized compared to the opposition they still look determined and only focused on a win.

With a good start kick from Andy Arter the match began with an immediate knock on and although unknown then this was to signal the game type for the rest of the match.

The game started hard and fast but with Oakwood tiring fast and Grammar defence being superb the try was obviously coming. The break came from quick hands through the backs with great link up work between Adam Kew and Jamie Phillips the ball was in Gareth Hewer's hands leaving him to sprint to the line. Ironically the same occurred in the other direction leaving James Blair to steamroller threw for his first try, which in turn started off a competition between the two wingers for them to see who could score the most tries. This opened gates for tries galore; with extraordinary kicking by Mike Marsh the team looked solid. Unfortunately a penalty was conceded in the 5-metre area and with sheer pressure Dover lost a try. This aside it helped the team to get back onto their game with superb effort from Lee Aicken and Matt Emmerson the rucks were won feeding the backs to do the damage.

The tries were more regular now and straight of the restart kick Luke Cochrane caught and decided to run through the middle of the pack to score himself, running a strong 60 metres for what may arguably be the try of the season.

In the second half, although still strong, Dover were giving away some silly penalties but still managed to score on a regular basis. Super sub Levi Goodey played a strong game once he came on and such a like did James Cooper. Next followed a very strange decision, which was a penalty try to Oakwood for handling on the floor, as it was deemed that the full pack was the last man. It was at this point that Simon Pearson?Wood came into his game and tore through the middle of the pitch right past the two biggest people in the team. Once again in Oakwood's twenty-two Dover pressured until the gap formed which Mike Marsh took it upon himself to steam through for his first try. The referee then informed Captain Richard Hayward that if another try was conceded he was stopping the game due to a too high point deficit. So off the next scrum Richard Hayward, with some superb link up play with Andy Arter, scored the last try which Mike Marsh once again converted.

Special recognition must go to Jacob Perry, Mike Marsh and Matt Emmerson for having very good games. Thanks again go to Mr Dennis and hopes go to the next round of this national cup and hopefully another win.
By Richard Hayward - 13 DM

Summary of all the matches played to date:

Year 7 Football (Friendlies)
N KNATCHBULL 0 V 4 DOVER GS
DANE COURT GS 2 V 3 DOVER GS
Year 8 Football (Friendlies)
DANE COURT GS 0 V 3 DOVER GS
N KNATCHBULL 1 V 3 DOVER GS
Kent Cup
RD 1 CHATHAM HSE 2 V 7 DOVER GS
RD 2 CANTERBURY H 0 V 5 DOVER GS
Year 9 Football (Friendly)
DANE COURT GS 0 V 6 DOVER GS
Kent Cup
RD 1 WALMER 1 V 13 DOVER GS
English Schools Trophy
RD 1 LANCING COLL 1 V 2 DOVER GS
Year 10 Football (Friendly)
N KNATCHBULL 0 V 2 DOVER GS
Kent Cup
RD 1 ST ANSELMS 1 V 7 DOVER GS
Rugby (Daily Mail Cup)
RD 1 CHATHAM HSE 24 V 17 DOVER GS
Daily Mail Vase
RD 1 MANWOODS 0 V W/O DOVER GS
Kent Cup
RD 1 HARVEY GS 7 V 64 DOVER GS
RD 2 JUDD 12 V 0 DOVER GS
Year 11 Football
Kent Cup 1
RD 2 HURSTMERE 0 V 2 DOVER GS
Rugby (Friendlies)
Dane Court 2nd XV 5 V 3 DOVER GS
Dane Court 1st XV 24 V 0 DOVER GS
1st X1 Football
English Schools Trophy
RD 1 WILLIAM PARKER 3 V 2 DOVERGS
Kent Cup
RD 1 ANGLEY 0 V 3 DOVER GS
Friendlies
DOVER GS 4 V 3 'OLD BOYS'
DOVER GS 2 V 2 ST GEORGES
1ST XV Rugby
Daily Mail Cup
RD 1 DOVER GS 55 V 12 OAKWOOD PARK
RD 2 GRAVESEND 52 V 7 DOVER GS
Friendlies
SIMON LANGTON 0 V 48 DOVER GS
DOVER GS 14 V 17 MANWOODS

Years 7 - 11 Overall Football summary
Played = 12
Won = 12
Drew = 0
Lost = 0
For = 57
Against = 8

This is an OUTSTANDING record so far this season - well done to you all!


Swimming Sports
These will be taking place on Tuesday 2nd November at Dover Leisure Centre from 9.00 am to 11.00 am. Parents and spectators are warmly welcome.

(Latest news. Postponed till after Christmas)

Cross Country
· The District Championships will take place in November - please keep yourselves fit if you are a main contender - especially in Years 9 and 11.

Consent Forms
· All boys representing the school at any sport need to complete and return a parental consent form.
· If you haven't done this yet please do ASAP as you will not be able to be selected otherwise.

Gymnasium and Changing Rooms
· The essential work in the Gymnasium will soon be undertaken. This will mean that the Department can then teach Basketball, Badminton, Gymnastics and Indoor Football and offer some indoor Athletics and Cricket clubs throughout the Winter months. Please be patient with this.
· The major work on the Changing Rooms is about to commence. In order to minimise disruption next Half-Term please be ready to change in different areas when instructed to do so without any undue fuss. In preparation for this the old indoor Changing Room has been cleared out to be used again during the works. This room will also be refitted as part of the building programme.
· As with all building works please heed the Health and Safety Rules and stay away from dangerous areas.

Honours

If you have represented the District or County in any sport recently please inform the PE Department. We would like to start a photo gallery to celebrate your successes.

Advance notice: All last years' teams will be required to have their team pictures taken very soon - so get that haircut!

Wayne Howe
Subject Leader for Physical Education