News from the Harvey
School Roll and Staff
At the beginning of the 2004-2005 School Year, the School Roll stood at 967 - the highest in its history. The Sixth Form numbered 231 - another all-time high - and in addition some 43 students from Folkestone School for Girls signed up for some of their A Level lessons at the Harvey.
The School welcomed 137 eleven year-olds into the First Year - several the sons of former pupils. We also welcomed thirteen new staff:
- Mr K Beale to teach PE
- Mr W Caudwell to be Head of Geography
- Mr N Cleaver to teach Science
- Mrs C Currie to teach Mathematics
- Mr S Downes to teach PE
- Mr T Hedley-Naidoo to teach Art
- Mr T Helyar-Cardwell to teach Art and RE
- Mrs L Leith to be Head of Biology and Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator
- Mr N Lyng to teach Science
- Mr G Marsh to be Head of Business Studies
- Mr W McDowell to teach History, Government & Politics, and Citizenship
- Mr D Naughton to teach History
- Mrs C Taylor to teach German, ICT and PE/Sport
On the non-teaching side, Mr C Ellender joined as PE Technician.
Several members of staff left for new pastures at the end of the Summer Term:
- Mr A Allon to Pent Valley School
- Mr P Delattre to The British Council School in Madrid, Spain
- Mr A Kirkton to Seaford College, Petworth, W. Sussex
- Mrs D Kay to Southlands School
- Dr Tony Lennard to Queen Anne's School, Reading
- Mr M Dickenson to be Regional Consultant at the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, University of Warwick
- Mrs J Hume on maternity leave
- Mrs L Mitchell to Simon Langton School for Boys
- Mr M Lyons retirement
- Mr P Uttin to Brockhill Park School
- Mr M Wilkinson early retirement on the grounds of ill-health. He
remains hugely grateful for the best wishes from staff, pupils and
parents - Mr K Yates seeking PGCE or Graduate Teacher Programme opportunities in Norwich
Also, the legendary Stuart McCarthy went part-time - like all institutions, the Harvey has to look after its ancient treasures! Miscellaneous News
Luke Allon (Upper Sixth) acted as a translator for the President of Folkestone Rotary Club at a recent gala dinner for visiting clubs from
Europe. Councillor Peter Smith, Chairman of Shepway District Council, sent his congratulations to Luke and added that his impeccable French and German was a reflection of the excellent standard of teaching at the Harvey.
Luke was also the recipient of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award for his courage in successfully battling a life-threatening illness.
Ross Clark (Lower Sixth) scored one of the top five marks nationally in the 2004 GCSE Re examination - out of 12,374 candidates.
Mark Smith (Fourth Year) received commendations for his performance in the SATs - his grade was described as "exceptional".
The Art department is celebrating the achievement of one of it's A Level artists for winning first prize in a prestigious county wide competition. The John Downton Awards for Young Artists is now in its third year and invites participating schools to send works by their top art students to be hung in the large exhibition which celebrates the county's young artistic talent in County Hall, Maidstone. James Corker was over the moon that his painting won first prize. The painting titled 'Zones of Exclusion' dealt with the issues concerning the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and the fall of Communism. James is hoping to make a career in Film Set and Theatre Design.
As part of the Sport and Science departments working together, eighty students from the Third Year visited the Science Museum in London for a special Sport Science day. They enjoyed the IMAX Top Speed film and the excellent lecture by Olympic medal winning high jumper Geoff Parsons about materials in sport. In the Sport Science exhibition the students experienced many different sports.
A team of second Year boys went to the University of Kent at Canterbury, accompanied by Mrs Kay and Mr Lyng. They took part in a day long event which consisted of two practical challenges and a lecture. The first challenge involved identifying unknown substances - the Salters' Challenge, and the second, working out densities of liquids using four different methods which the boys had to work out for themselves. Our team won the Salters' Challenge and were presented with book tokens and goodie bags for themselves, and £50.00 for the school.
Students from our school have been offered an exciting chance to attend a space school at the University of Kent where they will build rockets and learn about Space Science.
The School has become part of the Faulkes' Telescope Project. This project allows students to guide a research grade multi-million pound telescope in Hawaii via the Internet. This ground breaking project will mean that should a student find a new asteroid, they could be allowed to name it! It also means that professors at universities will be asking us for help in tracking deep space objects!
A team of our students from various year groups entered the Shepway Science Quiz held at Pent Valley. It was a great evening with students having to test not only their general science knowledge but also having to undergo musical and ‘hands on' challenges. It was a very close race but the Harvey boys won for the second year in a row.
A Level Government and Politics students were treated to a visit from Kedra Goodall, a member of Michael Howard's staff. She stayed for a full two hours answering questions and enjoying a lively debate with Harvey students, who very much enjoyed the experience.
The School took part in the Mathematical Challenge, organised by the UK Mathematics Trust and administered from the School of Mathematics at the University of Leeds. Certificates are awarded to the highest scoring 40% of candidates (6% Gold, 13% Silver, 21% Bronze).
All credit to Mrs Reynolds for finding over 200 placements for our two week period at the start of June. The boys involved - all from the Fourth Year - were a credit to the school and typical of a number of letters received was one from the Public Relations Office at Eurotunnel "may I merely add that this year's intake from Harvey Grammar were quite simply a credit to their school and parents, thus making my task both easier and much more rewarding than can sometimes be the case. I really couldn't praise them highly enough and I did get the very distinct impression that the young men in question enjoyed their time with us".
From Robson & Co. a similar letter "we recently had the good fortune to have in this office one of your work experience boys. He performed admirably and was extremely popular within the firm. On only one other occasion have I felt that it was worth writing to a school to express our complete satisfaction on what proved to be an admirable young person, the last occasion was several years ago. I would like to congratulate him on undertaking all tasks correctly
within the office and leaving a good impression not only of himself but also of his school".
There were tears, hugs, smiles and cheers at the 10th annual Try Angle Awards ceremony in Ashford. Two members of the office staff attended to support Jonathan Amos' nomination for an award in the
Service to the Community Section. Despite being beaten by a group of pupils from Southlands School, Jonathan went away with a certificate for his services and a good evening was enjoyed by all.
Ben Standen, Luke Reene and Prashanta Gurung (Fourth Year Citizenship Group) organized a charity bake sale and managed to raise £53.45 for the Demelza House Children's Hospice.
Craig Armstrong (Third Year) is currently working with Breakthrough which is a service within the charity Moving Forward, which provides care, support and guidance for children, their families and young people. At a recent celebration event, Craig as a reporter interviewed important guests and put together a report of the day. He has now been invited to become the editor of a newsletter about the event.
Mickey Attia, Darren Boness, Matthew Davey, Matthew Harris, Jonathan Harvey, William Massey, Thomas Moloney, Timothy Naylor, Christian Russell-Pollock, Alfred Smith, Alexander Ubee and James Webb from the Fourth Year joined 480 other pupils from 37 different schools around Kent at the Army School's Challenge Day at Shorncliffe Barracks in Folkestone. The day involved each team undertaking a series of physically demanding challenges, each with an emphasis on team-building and teamwork, in a race against the clock. These included:
- Command tasks
- Inflatable assault course
- Kit building race
- Camouflaging military vehicles
- Bridge building
- Obstacle race
- Radio communications
- Exposure to training pyrotechnics (smoke & loud bangs)
Only 10 team members were allowed to participate in each task so from the outset our Harvey Team had to decide on who would participate in each specific challenge and how they worked best together. One or two natural leaders emerged during the day as the entire team worked hard to achieve their best and in doing so set records for the fastest time in completing two of the eight tasks. Everyone played their part in the Team's success. At the end of the competition when the times were calculated and points awarded the Harvey Team came third. This outstanding achievement was all the more impressive when it became
clear that the vast majority of the other teams, including Barton Court Grammar School from Canterbury who won the competition, contained pupils a year older. The Harvey boys did themselves and the school great credit in the way they conducted themselves throughout the day and thoroughly deserved their success.
Sponsored Walk
The highly successful Sponsored Walk, introduced by John Edwards in 1986 and now firmly established in the School's calendar, was moved to September this year to allow every student to participate. Over 950 did so, together with staff, and the target of £10,000 for the Intensive Care Unit at the William Harvey Hospital was soon reached. The final total is likely to be just a few pounds short of £15,000 - a marvellous effort by everyone involved.
SCHOOL TRIPS
- Led by Mr Byles, several Harvey students took part in the World Challenge expedition to Mongolia in the summer. In 206 a similar expedition will visit Tanzania, giving participants the opportunity to visit Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 metres), go on safari, do a community project and have a rest and relaxation period in Zanzibar.
- A group of Third Year students represented the School at the first Schools Environmental Conference in Canterbury.
- Sixth Form students studying Biology visited Pfizer at Sandwich for a day of discussions and talks on aspects of biological research work.
- Thirty boys from different year groups went to the Oval to watch Australia beat New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The whole of the First Year went to Team Dynamics International - an outdoor education site in Tunbridge Wells. The boys spent two days and one night at the centre which for many was their first experience of camping away from their families. The days were split into activity sessions including Climbing, Team building, Aerial runway, Abseiling, High Ropes challenges, Kayaking, Raft building, Orienteering, Camp Fire, Bivouac and Shelter building. While half the year group was at Tunbridge Wells the other half were split into two groups at The Harvey. These groups each spent a day making a large self portrait mural in the Art department. For the other day on site they were involved in a Drama and Film Appreciation workshop working on comedies and working out their own mini plays.
SCHOOL SPORT
Cricket
The School maintained its excellent record in the County Cup competitions. The 1st XI again reached the final of the Lemon Cup following two particularly impressive wins over Cranbrook School and Langley Park. Unfortunately, the batting strengths of a Chatham House team comprising virtually all Upper Sixth formers eclipsed the efforts of a Harvey team who will all still be at school in 2005. Overall, the XI had a good season, playing some attractive cricket and scoring runs freely. The team lost narrowly to the MCC, with Charles Hemphrey scoring a century in a rich vein of form that saw him score almost 400 runs in a week. We believe him to be the youngest player to score a hundred for the 1st XI since Les Ames in 1920. He was in the first cohort of eleven players selected for the Kent Cricket Academy.
Another Harvey team to reach a county final were the Under 15's but they too suffered disappointment, despite posting a challenging total that included a splendid innings from Sam Butler.
Lower down the School there were some other excellent performances. The First Year side showed real promise for the future. No less than four
different players scored half centuries including knocks in excess of 70 by Adam Luckham and Ross Gilham-Jones and a superb 82 not out by Jamie Hemphrey. Ben Rogers' miserly leg spin bowling restricted opponents in a season that saw the side maintain a 100% record in the South East Kent Schools league.
Even the staff team managed to find some success in their annual grudge match against Simon Langton staff. Set a massive 181 to win in 20 overs Harvey got off to a great start with Messers Swan and Uttin setting the tone for the innings. It was left to Mr Allon and Mr Norman to smash quickfire half centuries taking us to victory inside 17 overs.
Old Harveians who have always supported the School's cricket programme in so many practical ways, including the building in1997 of the Les Ames Memorial Pavilion which is such a wonderful asset, will be reassured to know that cricket at the Harvey remains strong, with many very promising players and a full fixture list, including at all levels on Saturdays. Plans for the School's third tour to Barbados in 2006 are well advanced.
Hockey
The 1st XI had a variable season but towards the end they were certainly on an upwards curve culminating with a top 8 finish out of 20 of the best hockey schools in the county at the Frank Mason Tournament. During this competition, the boys managed victories over Norton Knatchbull and Sir Roger Manwood and were the only team to score against Kent College (one of the best schools nationally) in the group stage thanks to a goal from Andrew Norman. The Harvey finally succumbed to the eventual winners in the quarter final, Langley Park from Beckenham. Another notable success was the Kent Cup win on penalty flicks against St Lawrence College.
For first time in four years the School was able to field a regular 2nd XI team. They had varied success but did start the year well with a comprehensive victory against Norton Knatchbull thanks to goals from Richard Harris, Nick Goldup and Charles Elms. Other fixtures resulted in narrow defeats for the Harvey but with the improvement of Reardon, Janman, Johnson, Harris, Mann and Harling the 1st XI should be strong again next year with commitment to improvement.
The Under 15's were again a very successful team with 5 wins, 1 defeat and 2 draws. They were disappointed with their finish just inside the top ten of the Peter Firminger Trophy, if only they could turn pressure into goals!
There was a successful season for the Under14 team led by Hugo Furneaux that culminated in coming third in the Kent Cup after a thrilling 4-3 victory against Chatham House in the 3rd/4th play-off. With excellent tactics, the Under 14's were able to utilise the pace and power of the Vincent brothers up front along with the guile of Furneaux and Coombes and the strength of New and Reardon at the back Harvey were able to win against teams that had beaten them in previous years.
The Under 13's were unable to build on their success the previous year by only winning one game all season. The team does possess good players but unfortunately could not get the right blend.
The Under 12's were the school's most successful team in the school with five wins and just one defeat. Notable victories were 5-0 against St. Edmunds (Canterbury) and Norton Knatchbull. The team play a good style of hockey and score very easily with Jamie Hemphrey, Ross Gilham-Jones and David Hughes. All players have a good level of ability and with practice next year should become a very successful team throughout their time at the Harvey.
Successes at last weekend's Kent Athletic Championships at the Julie Rose Stadium saw Andy Welch become a double medallist at under 20 with silver in the 800m and gold in the 1500m where he finished well clear of Medway and Maidstone runners in second and third places.
Andy had the previous Tuesday underlined his superb form with the fastest leg in an inter-club relay at Thanet.
Matthew Morsia was the deserved gold winner of the long jump.
Athletics
Once again the Athletics season started with the Harvey hosting a gifted and talented athletics training school. All of the secondary schools in Shepway nominated their best athletes to be invited to attend day sessions on running, jumping and throwing. Half of the day was at The Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford where the athletes received specialised coaching. The other half of the day was spent at The Harvey learning about diet and the correct training programmes for each event.
The first fixture of the season was in the Paul Fairhurst Memorial Trophy. Unfortunately we were unable to retain the trophy with both the junior and intermediate teams coming a close second to Norton Knatchbull.
Once again we entered both the age groups for the English Schools' Track and Field Cup. This year the first round was hosted by Tonbridge School and there were several strong performances from our athletes in some very strong fields. Jamie Webb was our only athlete to win an event with a huge putt in the shot. Both teams improved on last year's performance and managed to come in the top eight schools in the county - enabling us to progress to the County Final at The Julie Rose Stadium.
In May the School competed in the Shepway Athletics Championships at The Julie Rose Stadium. The Under 17 and Under 15 athletes performed very well with noteworthy performances from Chris Gamble, Shane Webster, William Allingham and Chris Rilot. The overall team result was spoilt when both relay teams were disqualified - meaning that we missed the opportunity to gain valuable double points and once again came second to Brockhill. In the Under 13 Shepway Championships our athletes managed to beat Brockhill and win the junior trophy for the first time in five years. The First Year athletes in particular achieved great success winning all but two of the track events. Particular mention goes to Shane Standing, Matthew Biggs and Jamie Hemphrey who all won both of their events.
Successes at the Kent Athletic Championships at the Julie Rose Stadium saw Andy Welch become a double medallist at under 20 with silver in the 800m and gold in the 1500m where he finished well clear of Medway and Maidstone runners in second and third places. Andy had the previous Tuesday underlined his superb form with the fastest leg in a relay at Thanet. Matthew Morsia was the deserved gold winner of the long jump.
In the English Schools Athletics Championships William Allingham ran the 400m and came seventh in the final; he knocked 7 seconds off his personal best and came 2nd in the Kent Schools and Inter-Counties competition.
Football
At the beginning of the Summer Term the Under 16 football team capped a remarkable season by winning the Kent Schools FA Invicta trophy by beating Homewood 4-3 in a hotly contested final at Ashford Town Football Club. Trailing 3-1 at half time and playing well within themselves the boys looked down and out - but a second half onslaught ably lead by skipper and hat trick hero Will Tetteh swung the game in Harvey's favour, much to the delight of the travelling fans. It was the finale to an outstanding season in which the team had already won the County French Cup and made it through to the last eight in the country before losing to the eventual National Champions from Essex.
Twelve boys from the Harvey were invited to be ball boys at Villa Park, Birmingham for an England Under 19 Schoolboy International against The Rest of The World XI. The match was the showpiece of the Centenary celebrations of the English Schools FA where Phil Harding, as Chairman of The English Schools FA, was guest of honour. The boys escorted the teams onto the pitch at the start of the game for the national anthems in front of a 9000 crowd. The match ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw with some high quality performances witnessed on both teams. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and relished the opportunity to be part of a big match as well as seeing the insides and backstage at what is one this country's premier stadiums.
Cricket Report
Despite a delayed start to the season due to inclement weather cricket fixtures have now begun in earnest with many good team and individual performances from Harvey boys.
In September, the School hosted two teams from Brisbane Grammar School in Australia as part of their three-week tour of the UK. Many Harvey parents hosted the visitors as part of what was an excellent educational experience for all involved.
Skiing
The Harvey ski team has maintained its success at the highest level. At the English Schools Championships in Derbyshire they were crowned Under 16 and National Open Champions with Joel Wyatt winning the individual title. The team of Joel Wyatt, Matthew Davey, Michael Owen and George White now head for the British Championships.
Other Sports News
William Allingham and Shane Webster (Fourth Year pupils) took part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride and raised over £100 for charity.
Hugo Furneaux has continued to develop as a hockey player and was again selected for Kent. He has also been invited to join the academy at
Canterbury Hockey Club.
Thirty Fifth Year pupils are training to become FA qualified Junior Football organisers.
Football Tour to the USA
In the summer of 2005, the Harvey will be undertaking its ninth football tour to America. From its inception by Alan Philpott in 1989, the tour has become firmly established in the Harvey's sporting calendar and provides a marvellous educational and sporting opportunity for those selected to represent the School. If any Old Harveian involved in business is prepared to sponsor a team kit for the tour it would be much appreciated. The name and/or logo of the business could be printed on the kit - and the cost could be offset against tax! Anyone interested should contact Phil Harding at the School on 01303 252131 or 07850 154827 or pjharding@harveygs.kent.sch.uk
