The High School  Zion Road  Rathgar  Dublin 6   Tel: 01-4922611   Fax: 01-4924427  office@highschooldublin.com

Welcome back!

Welcome back to the new school year. There have been some major changes in the buildings in your absence, with two of our five laboratories being completely rebuilt and refitted (at enormous expense!). This is phase one of a programme which will see all of the laboratories rebuilt over the next few years.

There was a lot of work completed in the Information and Communication Technology area, too. Twenty eight new PCs were installed in the ICT department and the network software serving the whole school was updated to the latest standard. In addition, some new areas of the school were networked using a combination of wired and wireless technology to provide banks of computers for specific use in guidance and learning support. Individual PCs and data projectors have been provided in some of the classrooms as part of our continuous expansion of ICT provision. We plan to complete the networking of every room in the school during the next year or so.

As well as the above, a new learning support room has been provided which will facilitate small group and individual work. Our thanks are due to Administrator Mr J. Davis, Chairman of the Grounds & Property committee Dr J. Reid and the team who supported their efforts. It is seldom understood that the time between the end of the Leaving Certificate and the opening of term is a very short slot in which to achieve major work of this kind.

Parents will be glad to hear that all of the above work was completed on time, to budget and from within planned school resources, so there will be no need for fund raising, due to the excellent planning of the Finance Committee, chaired by Mr S. Mason.

During the summer, Ms G. O'Sullivan resigned as a teacher of French and we wish her well in her new teaching position in Kerry.

PPU 30 year celebration dinner - last chance!

The Past Pupils Union is organising a huge celebration dinner for 500 people in Moran's Red Cow Hotel on Saturday 18 September 2004 to celebrate 30 years of the new school, following the amalgamation in 1974.

Tickets are €40 per past pupil. We would love to see past pupils of all ages fill the hotel to bursting point! Time to renew old acquaintances!! Come along for this informal evening of good food, good wine, and great chat!!!

To register your interest for the dinner, or for other activities which may take place the same weekend (possible sports fixture, tour of the school etc.), e-mail Alison Hunt NOW at avhunt@eircom.net or write to 77 Beaufort Downs, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14., telephone 4934525; also e-mail Stephen Brown at highschool30year@eircom.net (Staff will also be welcome.)

Welcome new staff

We are pleased to welcome the following new staff (from top left): Dr C Whitford - Chemistry, Science; Mr P McCaughey - Classical Studies, History; Ms N. Boyce - French; Mr M Sweetnam - English, Mathematics; Mr L McBride - Biology, Science; Ms H Killane - Art, Technical Graphics; Ms D Murphy - Art.  Welcome also all new pupils in Form 1 and all other forms.

Will you write for the newsletter?

Individual letters or contributions to the newsletter are always welcome. They must be signed and left in the appropriate box outside the office before 10.30 a.m. on a Monday (at the latest) for that week's newsletter. Why not write a report on your match or activity? Submit a photo too! Cartoons drawn by pupils which we publish attract a €7 prize - they should be drawn on white, unlined paper in black biro or dark pencil.

Form 1 activities list

Rugby - Monday 4.00-5.30, Wednesday afternoon 2.00-3.30 p.m. approx. (meet at gym) (Mr Griffin A 6, Mr O'Hanlon B6)

Boys' hockey - Tuesday after school to 5.30 p.m. and some Wednesday afternoons. (Mr I. Wilkinson A7)

Girls' hockey - Friday and/or Tuesday after school to 5.30 p.m. (Mrs Mellon - Gym)

Badminton - Tuesday afternoon to 5.00 p.m. (Ms Hennessy B24)

Athletics - Monday afternoon to 5.00 p.m. (Mr Irwin C5)

Boys' basketball - is expected to begin on Saturday 25 September in the gym at 12.00 - check with Mr Walker during that week

Girls' basketball - Thursdays 4.00 p.m. gym (Mrs Kavanagh, Mrs Mellon)

Canoeing - Saturday 8.45-10.15 a.m. (Ms Toolan, T 2)

Caving - occasional, by application after assembly announcements (Mr Wright B1)

Hillwalking - occasional, by application after assembly announcements (Mr Cryan T3)

Swimming - Thursday 16 September ready at the poolside 8.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m., Rathmines swimming pool ( Ms Jones - Guidance office C floor)

Table-tennis - Reynolds Hall, Mondays 4.00-5.00 p.m. (Mr Sheridan)

Drama - This activity is still being arranged - listen for announcement in assembly for start date.

Camera Club - Tuesday 4.00-5.20 C13 (Ms Killane C13)

Choir - Monday and Tuesday 12.55 to 1.15 Music Centre (Mr Wisener)

Orchestra - Tuesday 4.00 - 5.00 (Mr Wisener M1)

Debating - Friday 12.50 - 1.15 A22 (Mrs Hutchinson-Edgar)

Matches and competitions are additional to the above. Arrangements are subject to change from time to time.

National Association for Parent Support

Conference in West County Hotel 2 October for teachers and parents on how diet and visual dyslexia can impact on learning difficulties. Guest speakers from England. Contact 087 2683215

Supervised study

This has commenced after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Demonstration Theatre. Details are available from Miss Garvey (staff room).

Science Club and Young Scientist Competition

Anyone interested in Young Scientist 2005 should see Dr Whitford this week for details. Closing date for entries 8 October.

Science Club started Monday 13 September at 4.00 p.m. in C2 - an opportunity to watch and perform unusual and fun experiments!

Art portfolio classes

Art portfolio classes are available on Thursdays from 4.00 to 5.20 p.m. with Ms Killane in C 13, for students in Forms 5 and 6.

Dates for your diary

Parents Association annual general meeting - 8.00 p.m. Monday 27 September. The Principal attends to answer questions about school policies.

Wednesday 22 September - Irish Times & IGC Higher Options conference for Form 6 - students without tickets must attend school.

Sport this week

Rugby

SCT St Columba's Wed 15 Donnybrook 7.00

JCT St Columba's Wed 15 Home 3.00

U 16 King's Hospital Sat 18 KH 2.30tbc

U 13 St Columba's 10 a side Sat 18 Whitechurch 2.30tbc

School fleeces are available from Mr Walker €45, XL, L, M, S, cheques payable to High School - may be worn as school outer jacket by boys and girls or at sports, but not around the school during the day.

Girls hockey

1st XI, 3rd XI St Gerard's Wed 15 Home 2.15

Minor A St Gerard's Wed 15 Away 2.15

Minor B St Gerard's Wed 15 Away 3.15

Past pupils vs present pupils to celebrate 30 years of the new High School at 11.00 a.m. at home

1st XI, Min B Mt Sackville Sat 18 Home 9.00

2nd XI, Min A Mt Sackville Sat 18 Home 10.00

3rd XI Mt Sackville Sat 18 Home 11.00

Jun B, Min C Mt Sackville Sat 18 Away 9.00

Jun C (4th yr), Min D Mt Sackville Sat 18 Away 10.00

Jun A, Jun C (3rd yr) Mt Sackville Sat 18 Away 11.00

Girls basketball

All players interested in playing in leagues must register immediately with Mrs Kavanagh at training. Mondays Cadettes and Seniors, Thursdays 1st years (meet at gym), Fridays 2nd years, all at 4.00 p.m. Please check the noticeboard and newsletter regularly for matches.

Boys basketball

U 16 and U 18 on Wednesday 15 at 2.00 p.m. in the gym. U 14 starts Sat 25 at 12.00 in the gym.

Cross country

Takes place for boys and girls on Mondays at 4.00 p.m. - meet outside the boys changing rooms. All welcome!

Swimming

Starts 16 September at Rathmines swimming pool, juniors 8.00 p.m. sharp at the poolside until 8.45 p.m. Seniors 8.45 p.m. at the poolside until 9.30 p.m. Please bring swimming hat and goggles. All newcomers very welcome. There is no charge. (Contact Ms Jones C floor guidance office)

Results - well done!

In girls hockey. the 2nd XI drew with Alexandra while the Minor A, B, C won against Alexandra.

In rugby, the SCT beat St Gerard's 22-7 and the 2nd XV also beat St Gerard's 41-19 and the JCT beat St Gerard's 42-0. Well done all!