Focus No. 9

The latest edition of the School newspaper has a most appropriate cartoon. On Day 1 of the new term, I am pictured saying confidently 'The flag will be raised every day of our Centenary year'. The following two days, we see an empty flag pole (the flag had to be sent away for additional fixings to be attached) and then on the fourth day the flagpole is pictured snapped in half (gale force winds brought it down during the weekend following our flag raising ceremony). Consequently the flag has not yet been flown again since my confident words on Day 1! Just part of the uncertainty of school life, most aptly captured by our cartoonist.

However, the new flagpole has been ordered, and should be installed shortly. Then we will begin the promised routine of raising the school flag every day of the Centenary year!

The flag raising ceremony was the first of many events we will be holding during our Centenary year to celebrate this anniversary. We are preparing a Centenary booklet which will give you all the information about planned events. One of these events will be the Centenary Ball on July 16 which will be open to 6th formers and adults, and we hope lots of parents will be able to join us. Tickets will be available soon.

The Centenary ties can now be ordered and there is an order form at the back of this copy of Focus. We hope all our students will order their Centenary tie and that many of them will choose to wear it as an alternative to their school tie.

Our Ofsted report has now been published, and you will shortly be receiving a summary of the report if you have not already done so. You will see in my letter which accompanies the summary that I believe the report gives an accurate reflection of the school, highlighting as it does many positive features, but making it clear that too many of our most able students are underperforming at present. We have clear plans in place to ensure that this underperformance is not allowed to continue and many of these plans are already having a positive effect. I am pleased that the inspectors have commented on recent improvements and that they have noted the optimism which pervades the school.

I return to the student newspaper. One of the things which has so impressed me since I have been at DGSB is the extent to which students are prepared to come forward with ideas, and then to work hard to bring them to fruition. The amazing student response to the tsunami disaster is an example of this. As is the student newspaper which is now in its second edition, and is entirely the work of the student editorial team and contributors. The name they have chosen, 'Fiat Vox' (Let there be Voice), is an excellent reflection of the school's motto 'Fiat Lux' and emphasises the role this newspaper plays in allowing the student voice to be heard. I hope the students will take the opportunity offered by the newspaper, by School Council, and simply by talking to us, to let us know what they think, so that we can tackle the issues which concern them.

S J Lees
February 2005

It is ten years since the School held a formal Ball and since 1995 the question has often been asked: 'When are you holding another one?' In this, our Centenary Year, is this not the best time to revive the tradition of a formal, black tie Ball? So, on Saturday 16 July 2005 the School will host its Centenary Ball. Members of the Sixth Form, Parents, Old Pharosians and friends of the School are all invited to celebrate 100 years of schooling at Dover Grammar by attending this formal 'Black Tie' (or lounge suits) event. It promises to be a glittering and memorable occasion.

The evening will start at 6.30pm with a Kir Cocktail reception in the Great Hall, accompanied by a String Quartet. A four-course dinner will be provided in the Dining Room. In the Great Hall, festooned in celebratory gold and silver, there will be non-stop music. The nine-piece Kingsdown Band will perform on the Stage, alternating throughout the evening with a disco at the other end of the Great Hall, under the Balcony.

It seems likely that demand for tickets will be great but we are limited to no more than 200 guests. Early booking is essential, therefore, to avoid disappointment. A four-course dinner will be served at 7.30pm. After the meal it is hoped a pair of bagpipers will play from the top of the Tower, beneath the new School flag, during a firework display on the Top Field. The Centenary Ball will end with 'Auld Lang Syne' at 2.00am.

The four-course dinner menu comprises:

· Centennial Cocktail - A medley of melon pieces with grapefruit, orange and grapes in Cointreau.

· Either: Poached fresh salmon fillet or vegetable terrine served with buttered new potatoes and a selection of salads.

· A choice from a selection of sweets.

· Cheese board (Stilton, Brie and Cheddar)

· Coffee and mints.

Each inclusive ticket is £29 per person. A booking form can be found at the back of this issue of Focus and bookings are now being taken.

World Book Day - 3 March 2005

I should soon be receiving our batch of World Book Day vouchers worth £1.

They will be distributed to each pupil on the day stated and can be redeemed either at booksellers like WH Smith and Waterstones if participating in the scheme or by placing an order with Scholastic Books through myself at the school.

I also hope to organise and run a 'sale or return bookshop' during that week. More details will be posted.

Year 7 Reading Group

After half-term on a Thursday between 1.00-1.30pm I plan to begin operating a Reading Group for up to fifteen students with the help of several student Library Assistants. The authors and their books we hope to read and discuss are Anthony Horowitz, Lemony Snicket and Philip Pullman. Each group will be limited to five students so it will be on a first come, first served basis. Information will be given at Year 7 assembly.

Any interested students please speak directly to Mrs George or Benjamin Bancroft of 7 Port.

New Venture for March 2005
Sainsbury's Active Kids Campaign 2005

From 2 March until the end of June, every £10 a customer spends at Sainsbury's will earn them one Active Kids Voucher.

Active vouchers can then be donated to your school and redeemed against equipment, kit and experiences aimed at inspiring children of all ages and abilities to share the pleasure of being active.

The benefits of a balanced diet are also being highlighted, so that every £5 spent on fresh fruit and vegetables earns a bonus voucher.

Dover Grammar School's collection point will be the Library.

Progress of all collections we participate in will be updated in each newsletter. Every voucher really does count.

Tesco Computers for Schools

I anticipate this scheme to be starting in early March so please be on the alert. 2004 saw two new computers for the Library and Resource Area.

Mrs LK George - School Librarian

Help with French and German is available to all students in room L8 every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Thanks to: Mrs Fry and Mrs Rainier for helping the MFL department, Mr Emmanuel for running the French club on Wednesday lunchtimes and assisting with preparation for oral examinations and Miss Albrecht for her contribution to the oral examinations preparation.

Another Law competition is forthcoming in March. The Magistrate's Mock Trial Competition will open to Year 9 students who wish to compete with other top schools in the Kent area.

It will take place on Saturday 5 March 2005 at Medway Magistrate's Court and the case will involve the impartation of an endangered species, namely chinchillas, into the country contrary to the European Regulation and under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. Under the WWF, founded in 1961, is an independent conservation organisation to prevent such abuse from taking place. A team of 12 students who will act the part of Magistrates, Court Clerk, Usher Defence and Prosecution Lawyers, Defence and Prosecution Witnesses and a Court Reporter will provide an insight into the workings of the criminal justice system as well as citizenship issues.

Boys taking place are as follows:

Jack Williams Prosecution/Defending
Kyle Glanville Prosecution/Defending
Jack Gregory Prosecution Witness 1
Jack Armstrong Magistrate
Alex Williams Court Reporter
Jethro Thompson Magistrate
Louis Halewood Magistrate
Adrian Kellers Defence Witness 2
Andrew Martyn Court Clerk
Sam Cooke Usher
Joe Attard-Owen Defence Witness 1
Josh Winthrop Prosecution Witness 2

The school would like to win this competition as in the past we have always come second best. We can do it - and let's hope we all make a concerted effort to do our best to win. Come on Year 9! You can do it if you really make the effort.

Mr VPP Crofts - Subject Leader for Law

On the 25 February the PFA have arranged a Wine and Wisdom evening starting at 7.30pm.

At present, only two tables have been booked. Unless we get more interest the evening may have to be cancelled as we have had to in the past.

This would be very disappointing as £1 for £1 sponsorship is being arranged through Barclays Bank Plc for the evening.

It would be even more disappointing from the school's point of view as it relies on the extra funds we provide.

At our last meeting we agreed to give between £3000 and £4000 to the school for extra equipment. This is benefiting YOUR son. Without everyone's support of the fundraising events we put on then this sort of injection of funds would NOT be possible. It is our boys that will miss out.

Please try and make this Wine and Wisdom evening and other events we arrange. They are normally good fun. If you would like to attend please leave your name and telephone number at the School Office indicating how many people will be taking part.

We are all busy people but need to think about helping the school to help our boys.

If you feel we could be doing something different to raise money then have your say. Come along and join the PFA committee. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 8 March at 7.00pm.

Since the last issue of Focus a lot has happened with regard to the bid. Many of your sons will have a very full account of progress through their own school newspaper - Fiat Vox, in which a group of boys interviewed me and wrote an extensive article. You, as parents and carers have not had that luxury and want to know the latest news.

Staff, pupils and Old Pharosians have been involved in fund raising. All sorts of activities have been taking place around the school - we had a very successful second hand book sale in the library, guess the number of sweets in a jar and so on. Money has been coming in but very slowly and now is the time for the final push to get the sponsorship we need.

Outside of the school we have secured sponsorship from Oracle - a large American software company who are donating software and training to the value of £25,000. Euro Tunnel is supporting us with free overseas travel allowing us to extend some of our activities into Europe. We have had very generous donations from some of our Old Pharosians, especially Mr Brian Newman who has pledged £10,000, providing the money is match funded - which, of course this is. Some companies have offered us gifts in kind, and whilst they cannot be added towards our target of £50,000, they are still very useful. I am still actively searching for more sponsors - large or small to support us in a range of different ways.

Through the bid, we have been contacted by other groups of people wishing to support us and offer opportunities to our boys. Through one of these groups we have secured a small number of places for sixth formers to be among a team of young people from all over Europe attending a conference in Denmark, and more places for sixth formers to visit the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg later this year. These opportunities are not dependent on the bid but have come to us because of the bid we are making.

The draft bid was submitted on Friday 4 February. We will receive feedback and have a short time to implement changes before submitting the final bid on 4 March. We intend to be successful, we may not be as many schools have submitted 3 or 4 times before becoming Specialist Schools. If we do not achieve our goal, we will try again and again until we do achieve Specialist School status.

Thank you for the support you have given us over the last year.

Ms T Birchley

Grade Examinations
Congratulations to the following students who were successful in recent instrument
grade examinations:

		Grade
Michael Schlamm	Piano	5	Merit
Benjamin Royston	Trumpet	4	Distinction
Calum Lawrence	Piano	4	Merit
Zak Fisher	Alto Saxophone	3	Pass
Faisal Jafri	Clarinet	3	Pass
Joshua Mills	Trumpet	3	Pass
Freddie Reay	Alto Saxophone	3	Pass
James Davis	Euphonium	1	Pass
Dominic West	Trumpet	1	Pass

The main musical event at the end of last term was the School Carol Service held by candlelight in Charlton Church on Wednesday 15 December. The service this year took the form of the traditional nine lessons and carols. Each of the nine lessons was read by a member of the school community with the majority by students. The congregation, who filled the church to capacity, joined with the school choirs in the singing of well known Christmas Carols. Illumina performed two carols on their own and joined with the DGSB Singers for the remaining music. There were around fifty singers taking part together with the School Brass Ensemble and organist Stephen Yarrow.

I am delighted to report that two of DGSB's musicians won first and second prizes at the recent Dover Young Musician of the Year organised by Dover Rotary Club. The final, held in Dover Town Hall was attended by Mr Gwyn Prosser MP, the chairman of Dover District Council and the deputy mayor and deputy mayoress of Dover. Mrs Lees also attended the event to support the two DGSB students. David Buhler, a Year 13 DGSB student, won first prize in the instrumental section of the competition with his expressive and mature cello playing. Notable from David's performance was his moving interpretation of Fauré's Elegy for cello and piano. Miles Brett in Year 12 came second with two excellent performances of challenging violin repertoire by Haydn and Tchaikovsky.

The Young Musician of the Year was a worthwhile competition which attracted considerable interest in the area. Over 200 people attended the final in Dover Town Hall and many students from local schools entered the competition. I would like to congratulate David and Miles on their achievements. It was a great pleasure to hear the two students perform with such innate musicianship, confidence and maturity. They both have great futures ahead of them in music.

On Wednesday 9 February at 7.30pm we will be presenting a concert of pop and rock music performed by guitar students and staff of the school. The idea of the concert is to give performing opportunities to the large number of boys taking guitar lessons at the school. The programme will include music in a variety of styles and will be set up and supported by the music department's guitar teachers. Teachers will be performing with students on the night and the evening will take the form of a formal concert with programmes.

The school's Big Band, String Quartet, Junior Wind Band and Training Orchestra will be performing at the annual Spring Concert to be held in the School Hall on Wednesday 16 March at 7.30pm. In addition to performances by the school ensembles there will be solos performed by students on a variety of instruments. The concert will present a further opportunity to hear the DGSB Centenary Fanfare composed by Mr Bryan Shaw, the school's brass teacher.

Mr P Baldock
Director of Music

MATCH REPORTS

Year 8 Rugby

DGSB vs Sandwich Tech
As soon as Dover kicked off, they were up on Sandwich and took control. Dover totally dominated the first-half when Josh Coughlan opened the scoring with a great try, then came Chris Yarrow with an excellent run up the right wing to score under the posts. Soon after, Jamie Capon carried the ball up the left wing to score another for Dover. Before half time Chris Yarrow scored another try.

As Sandwich kicked off to begin the second-half the ball was played out to Sam Fogarty who made a dazzling run down the left wing to score Dover's fifth and final try. Before full-time Sandwich made a comeback, but all of the Dover players worked as a team to prevent Sandwich from scoring. By full-time Conor Wynne had scored some great conversions to make the final score 29?0 to Dover and then Chris Yarrow was named man of the match.
By Nick Keen - 8 Castle

The Under 13 team got off to a very good start by defeating Sandwich Technology School 29-0 on 3 February. Last year we lost this game 5-7. There has been a huge improvement in the standard and intelligence shown by this squad - which includes many new players. The forwards worked exceptionally well as a unit and the backs made some scintillating runs to score some fine tries.

The Under 15 team had a walkover against Astor who failed to field a team. This was a huge disappointment as Astor was the only team to give us any kind of a match last year. Let us hope the other teams at this age group provide better games than last year.

The only rugby teams to be entered for the East Kent Rugby League will be years 7 and 8. Years 9, 10 and 11 will not be entered.

FOOTBALL

There are still 2 teams left in the latter rounds of the Kent Cup. The Under 15 team are due to play Howard School in the Semi-Final on Saturday 5 Feb. Dover is trying to reach the Final to hopefully retain the Portex Trophy which we won in dramatic style last year.

The Under 16 team are awaiting an appeal, following their exit in the Quarter Final at the hands of Bennett Memorial School. We are investigating the possibility of the match being replayed.

CRICKET NETS

This area will soon be out of bounds for the rest of this Term after a lorry load of top soil has been used to level the ground. Please do not use this area as it will take some time for the soil to settle and grass seed to grow.

The works being done on the conversion are coming along really well. The inside of the building is completely different to what it used to look like. We all hope this will add to the morale of PE lessons upon its completion. Please bear with us as the results will be well worth it.

The pit has been raised and re-boarded on the Astor side to make it safe and useable. The poor ground surrounding the pit has been levelled and returfed. In the Summer Term this will be a great asset to the athletics facilities.

Please keep away from this area during lunchtimes as the turf needs time to settle and grow properly.