Sports Day is on its way

Details

Written by Mr M Alderson

Published: 11 May 2017

A message from Mr Wallace

Dear Parent/Guardian

Like most secondary schools, Dane Court has an annual Summer Sports Day. However, that is where the similarity ends. Our Sports Day actually takes place over one and a half days.
Athletic ‘Field Events’ take place during the morning of the first day, then Athletic ‘Track Events’ and Team Games run throughout the second day.
Although Sports Day is the largest ‘House’ competition of the year, and fiercely contested by all performers, it is also the only event where every student participates and plays their part.

We realise that some students do not enjoy athletics and so each year group has a ‘striking’ team game. Unlike the athletics where the competitions are single gender, the team game is a mixed gender activity. Year 7 play Rounders, Year 8 Stoolball, Year 9 Cricket and Year 10 Softball.
The success of the day is always due to the fantastic response from the students. Students have to organise themselves during Sports Day, making sure their form teams are organised and that they get to events on time. They are given a great deal of freedom during the ‘main’ day and I am never disappointed with their effort and behaviour which is always superb.
The sense of community is immense, with all staff involved in the smooth running of the day. Sports Day is my favourite day of the year because the whole school is taking part in one activity. And, of course, I’m just a little biased when it comes to sport!

All parents are welcome to watch some, or all, of Sports Day. The day is very informal. When you arrive please sign in at the main office. If you are not sure where to go to spectate ask any student/member of staff. We do not provide seating – feel free to bring a rug or folding seat.

The programme is shown below and can be downloaded here. We look forward to seeing many of you on the day.

Friday 30 June 2017 - Pentathlon

Years 9 and 10 only
This will take place during Periods 1 to 4

Monday 3 July 2017 - Field

Order of events

High Jump - This competition will start at 8.50am for all competitors

Tuesday 4 July 2017

Team sports

Order of play

Track

Order of events

*All timings are approximate

Curry Night and Auction of Promises

Details

Written by Mr M Alderson

Published: 07 May 2017

On Friday 19 May 2017 we will be holding a evening out with a difference. 
On offer from 7:00pm will be a choice from a range of delicious curries, naan and rice followed by a dessert.
Tickets for the event are available from the school cash office (£7.50 adult, £5.00 child).
Gadds' brewery will be providing a bar - all takings are being kindly donated to our causes (see below).
After the meal we will be auctioning a wide range of 'promises' - products, services and experiences - for which you can bid
See below for the list of promises so far (or download here).

Why are we holding an auction?

• Some money will kick-start the funding of our big Diamond Celebration day on 1st July.
• An element of the 'Diamond Legacy' will fund some of the new kitchen area in the Food Technology Department.
• Some of the money will be going to a charity, supported by Thanet Schools. Global Challenge works collaboratively with partners in the Soroti district of Uganda to initiate and maintain a range of projects focusing on education, alleviating poverty and suffering, and establishing initiatives aimed at improving self-sufficiency.
  The charity’s largest project is Crossroads Secondary School which it finances and supports, providing education to around 300 children. The charity’s other big initiative is to provide practical help to young people with disabilities and learning difficulties, especially in the outlying villages around Soroti.

Please bring cash or cheque to pay for items

To let us know you'll be buying tickets on the door email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are unable to attend but wish to bid for an item email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Promises (last updated on 7 May 2017)

Arts, craft and lovely items

• Stained Glass Craft Day for 3
  A day of learning to the basic skills of cutting glass, using copper foiling and soldering to create your own stained glass decorations.
• A2 Canvas Print
  You will be entitled to have an image of your choice professionally printed onto canvas at the Seaward Colour Copy Shop, St Peters.
• Andy Johnson Linocut Print
  Andy Johnson has kindly donated one of his wonderful prints of Kingsgate Bay.
• Die Cutting and Card Making Session for up to 6 people
  A four-hour session on how to use a die cutting machine to cut beautiful butterflies, flowers, borders, animals and much, much more. Tea and biscuits will be provided.
  You will also learn how to:
  • emboss card
  • rubber stamping
  • create your own backing papers using pixie powders and multi coloured infusions.
  • Whether you are a beginner, or an experienced crafter you will enjoy a fun filled day
• Wildlife photographic session for two
  Develop your photographic skills with a session studying the autumnal Deer Rut in Richmond Park, London.
  Travel included
• Pick 'n Paint voucher
  Take your voucher along to Pick 'n Paint, Cliftonville and put it towards an enjoyable session painting pottery. All items are fired and ready for collection within a week.
• Church Street Florists
  Church Street Florists, St Peters, have kindly donated a gift voucher worth £25
• Proof-reading...
  This is aimed at people who enjoy creative writing and would like some advice from a published author either on their work or on ways of getting published and furthering their interest.
  The author would proof-read and edit a piece of creative writing up to 5000 words written by the winner, providing a commentary on my thoughts (this is optional of course!), and meet with the winner over tea and cakes to discuss their writing, how to develop as a writer, ways to get into publishing, and the author’s own experience.

Big Days Out

• Quex Park and Gardens
  A personal tour of Quex Estate, including entering inside the Towers and a unique insight into the Powell-Cotton family history -tour can be for up to 15 people.
• Tower of London
  Family entry to the Tower of London (2 adults, 3 children)
• Leeds Castle
  One day family ticket (2 adults, 3 children)
• Hot air balloon ride
  An amazing opportunity here - an anytime ticket to ride in a hot air balloon for one person
• Doddington Place gardens
  Enjoy walking in the beautiful grounds of Doddington Place Gardens, a family season ticket for 2 adults and 2 children.
• Quex Park Family Ticket
  Enter the museum, house and gardens at your leisure
• Cinema Tickets
  We have two lots here:
  • Two tickets for the Carlton Cinema, Westgate
  • Four tickets for the Palace Cinema, Broadstairs
• Windsurfing Lesson
  Our very talented, Mr Lyons, is offering a windsurfing lesson, for any age, weather dependant of course!

Beauty

• Gel nails
  Book into Evolve salon to have your nails done and feel fine!
• The Cutting Lounge and The Tanning Lounge
  There is a selection of lots kindly donated from The Cutting and Tanning Lounge:
  • Hair cut and styled
  • Facial
  • Spray Tan
  • 30 minutes’ sun beds
• ....and relax....
  Massage or facial available from Canterbury Cosmetics.

Music items

• Banjo Lessons
  Something you have always fancied having a go at?!
  Three Banjo lessons available!
• Ramsgate Music Hall
  Two tickets, to a gig of your choice!

Food and Drink

• Craft Beer Tasting for Four
  Come along to The Bottle Shop, Margate, and enjoy a personal graft beer tasting, led by an expert.
  Enjoy some rarities and some flavours you won't have thought of trying before!
• Tea for Two at Bessie's Tea Parlour
  Enjoy a vintage tea at the beautifully quaint Bessie's Tea Parlour
• 6 week children’s (5-12) cookery course
  This is held at Westgate Community Centre and is a fantastic opportunity to learn some new skills in a friendly group. All ingredients and equipment provided.
  For more information go to: www.makewithkate.co.uk
• Prosecco Afternoon Tea for two
  Enjoy a Prosecco afternoon tea at The Albion Hotel, Ramsgate
• Flavours by Kumar
  Three course lunch for two at this wonderful award winning restaurant
• Personal Afternoon Tea with Prosecco
  This incredibly personal afternoon tea will be hosted by our very own Mrs Walsh, in her beautiful back garden in the centre of Canterbury.
• The Corner House, Minster
  This top-rated restaurant has kindly donated lunch for two, with wine.
• The Sands Hotel
  Afternoon Tea for two
• Chapel Down Vineyard
  The home of the Royal wedding fizz (!), Chapeldown, have kindly donated a tour and tasting for four people
• A cake, every month, for a year!
  Our very talented baker, Mrs Stivarius, is offering to make a cake, of your choice, every month for a year! How unique!
• Gadds' Brewery Tour
  Weekend Brewery Tour and tasting for up to 8 people
• Three course meal for six, at your house!
  Mr Fowler, a talented cook, is offering to cook a meal for 6, at your own house!
  Relax and let someone else do the hard work!
• Gin Tasting Experience
  Enjoy a gin tasting delight for four people in Broadstairs, along with canapes...and a lift home!

Something for the kids!

• Revolution
  All day climbing or skating session for two at Revolution, Broadstairs
• Hornby
  Hornby have kindly donated a 'My First Scalextric Set'

Music showcase concert

Details

Written by Mrs A Cooper

Published: 08 May 2017

Various students came together to perform at the Music Showcase Concert on Friday 5 May at The Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs. There were a variety of different performances from classical to pop music from students in year 7 to year 13, and staff performances too. Evan Williams performed English Rose by Paul Weller and Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, which he had also performed as part of his GCSE Music Solo Performance. Our international students Ingrid Myrland Johansen and Johanna Steinvorth performed a Ukulele duet of Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas and the Papas.

Other performances included a Saxophone solo by Reuben-James Gilbert who performed Tango and Charleston by T. Hold. Ukulele group performed with two guest singers, Isabelle Mcgee performing Riptide by Vance Joy and Jack Wilkinson performing I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book. Among the pianists performing were Joseph Chesters performing Wedding at Troldhaugen by Edward Grieg and Mabel Naisbitt performing Tarentella (from Minatures, Op. 53, No.6) by S. Maykapar.

Congratulations to all who performed! Our next event will be our Choir Tour to Disneyland Paris during half term. Also see the Jazz Band performing at Quex Park on Sunday 2nd July from 12pm onwards.

Boot fairs

Details

Written by Mr M Alderson

Published: 23 February 2017

The Dane Court Grammar School Parents Association's monthly boot fairs usually take place at the school from 6:30am on the second Saturday of each month with breaks over winter and during the summer holiday.

There's no need for stallholders to book, just turn up at 6:00am. £7 for cars and £10 for vans. The boot fairs open to general public at 6:30am and refreshments are available.

This year's events are as follows:

• Saturday 13 May 2017
• Saturday 10 June 2017
• Saturday 8 July 2017
• No August Boot Fair
• Saturday 9 September 2017
• Saturday 14 October 2017 (weather permitting)

Check our calendar for more details.

Engineering Education Scheme 2017

Details

Written by Mr M Alderson

Published: 03 May 2017

From October 2016 right through to today’s celebration and assessment event at the University of Kent Canterbury two teams of IB students have been working with local engineering companies to develop solutions to real-world issues.
They were taking part in the Engineering Education Scheme which brings together enthusiastic students and practicing engineers in a way that encourages problem-solving, team-working and project management. The Scheme consists of several phases, each designed to develop the students’ understanding of the engineer’s role in industry and commerce.
For the 2016-2017 season, Dane Court formed “Team Hilger” and “Team Instro”.
Team Hilger worked with Hilger Crystals with the aim of developing a more efficient process for managing the results of their quality assurance test data.
Team Instro took on a challenge set by Instro Precision. This involved making a marketing demonstrator to showcase one of their surveillance platforms.
Both teams worked with company engineers on the two-day workshop at the University of Kent Canterbury and returned to the venue for the final celebration and assessment day.
Team Hilger said the taking part in the scheme was “a great insight into the world of business and a marvellous opportunity to develop some completely new skills.”

Trip to Sevilla FC

Details

Written by Jake Coltham-Lai

Published: 24 April 2017

On the 8th of April, 22 students and 2 teachers boarded a coach and headed for Gatwick Airport. It was around 4 o'clock when we arrived at the airport but even being this early in the morning you could feel the buzz within the students. Before we boarded Mrs Sotiri and Mr Wallace gave each room a challenge sheet for the trip, including getting pictures of landmarks and answering general knowledge questions about Seville. We boarded the plane at around 6 o’clock and didn’t touch down in Spain until around 9 o’clock. When we got there we met our tour guide Juan.

After a short coach trip we got out and went sightseeing, we went to see a landmark square of painted ceramic tiles called Plaza de España. We all went for a canoe ride which was really fun. We then headed to our hotel called Abades. At around 5:30pm we left the hotel and headed for Sevilla’s stadium, Ramón Sánchen Pizjuán. We watched Sevilla V Deportivo, Sevilla won 4-2. The next morning we woke up early to get ready for breakfast and our first training session at Sevilla’s training ground. The sessions were really fun and the coaches were really nice. Later that day we had our first Spanish lesson with Carlos, it was really funny. On Monday we had the second of two training sessions and in the afternoon a tour of the city. During the coach trip back to the hotel we saw Real Betis’ stadium, Estadio Benito Villamarín (Sevilla’s rivals). In the evening we had a cooking class where we learned to cook paella, a traditional Spanish dish. On Tuesday we got ready to play an 11 a side game Vs a Sevilla youth team. They were really good but even though we lost, it was a great experience for us all. After the game we got to see the first team train for a little bit. In the afternoon we headed to Sevilla’s stadium once again for a stadium tour. It was extraordinary. We got to learn many different things to do with the club and its history. We also saw many things to do with the club including: the trophies won by the club(including the European trophy), the changing room facilities. We also got within touching distance of the pitch. On the final day we went to a shopping centre to buy souvenirs.

We headed for Sevilla airport and arrived at around 2:30pm, our flight left at around 4 o’clock and we arrived back in England at around 7 o’clock. We boarded our coach and set of home at around 7:30pm and arrived back in Thanet at about 9 o’clock. The trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Year 13 leavers fancy dress 2017

Details

Written by Mr M Alderson

Published: 21 April 2017

Today we welcomed our annual gathering of year 13 students in fancy dress.
The event marks the end of their formal International Baccalaureate Diploma lessons and the start of study leave for most students.

Examination season starts in early May and we wish everyone involved the very best.