The fourth year is the year in which we begin our 'O' level course, and by now the choices for subjects has been narrowed down. The timetable is harder and more tiring than last year. Some subjects have become more interesting, but then some have become more boring. After we have finished lessons during the week, very little is done to relieve the intense boredom. We either spend money down at the tuckshop, or listen to music. Some houses can play snooker, and quite a few people read, play board games and even mess around.

On the whole, the fourth form look forward to next year, and the privilege of wearing their own clothes out of the school and attending the fifth form dances. At the moment, we have little privilege apart from being a year above the third form.

The most important time of the week for us is the weekend, and especially the Saturdays. After dinner we eagerly burst out of the school gates, dressed resplendently in our school uniforms! We spend a lot of time in the music shops or in the amusement arcade. On Sundays, anyone who has a girlfriend can meet her, and this is one of the more interesting things to do over the weekend.

On Sunday evenings the Top 40 is recorded and then constantly played during the week.

FIFTH FORM:

After the average fifth former has been woken up on a Saturday morning, he will manfully resist the temptation to collapse once more into sleep, and will crawl into the bathhouse. After splashing cold water onto his face, he will try to stay awake whilst dressing, and then stumble out on march-up only to be told to go and clean his shoes.

Finally arriving at breakfast, he has the stupefying choice of cornflakes…. cornflakes, or cornflakes. Missing out the second course to catch up on a maths prep, he will then fall asleep during the choir practice period. During the first two lessons, the fifth former will pray for break, only to remember that there are no biscuits on Saturday.

After lunch, he will visit the sights of Dover with a group of equally average fifth formers. They will go on a spending spree in the coffee houses, ordering a large cup of tea each (or sometimes one cup between three!). They continue to waste more money in the record shops and the arcade.

They trek up from town in time for supper. For the rest of the night the fifth former will sit in front of the television wishing that the Saturday was the night of "The dance that never was"!

LOWER SIXTH FORM:

The first few weeks back to school represent a transition period, mainly concerned with how to discipline oneself as opposed to being disciplined. This takes place in the classroom, the house, the parade ground and the sports field. The conscientious adapt quickly, others struggle but they too eventually complete this "metamorphis" to become potentials.

This is the year when maturity is nurtured more so perhaps than academic confidence, but in saying that please don't think that examinations are ignored. After all, with the continual assessment programme and exams there is no place (or shouldn't be) for slacking, being bored and generally inactive.

Gradually people become more authoritarian in their ways and this is the time when true characters are revealed. There is an opinion that the year is left to its own devices (up to a point), and therefore the individual must make the best use of each situation which presents itself. The Lower Sixth former can either strive to become more efficient or can decide not to bother at all (this is the attitude of the inevitable few). On the whole the studious elements within the year make an effort to become more responsible than they were a year ago, becoming aware of the role they have to play in the school and future roles next year as Upper sixth formers. Some even read the front pages of "The Telegraph" as well as the back.

THE UPPER SIXTH FORMER

The 'A' levels are upon us! We have become numbed over the years by the constant barrage of advice from masters saying how little time we have left. Last year the pressure of exams was never fully realised and therefore an atmosphere of self-confidence was formed, and only now is the pressure beginning to tell.

On entering the upper sixth, the burden of responsibility dramatically increases. No longer is there anybody to look up to and the accent is not merely on self-discipline, but on discipline throughout the school.

An upper sixth former has reached the stage where he wants a stronger contact with the outside world. Friendships formed are at their strongest, but there is an urge to experience something new and fresh.