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

Senior rugby league semi-final

The senior team played their league semi-final against Gonzaga last Wednesday at Templeogue College. We had a great start due to a great team try finished off by David Flower. They struck back with a try and after a penalty from Alan Thompson the score was 10-8 at half time.

In the second half, they got an early penalty but we fought hard and encamped ourselves on their try line. Despite 10 minutes of continuous attack, the Gonzaga defence still stood strong and managed to score a breakaway try in the last move of the game. Thanks to all who came out to support us!

Niall McDarby

Young Scientist competition

Congratulations to the students who have been selected as finalists in this year's competition at the RDS from 11-15 January and who are submitting projects on the following:  multi-agent cooperative mind artificial intelligence;  what affects our attitudes to current issues; practical induction.

A record number of entries was received, making it particularly difficult for the judges to select the top 480 projects to compete in the finals.

Dr C Whitford

School council survey on uniform proposals

The survey on proposals for uniform change has been tabulated and has provided some interesting results. Thank you to the members of the council who arranged it.

In the school as a whole there is a clear majority of students against the idea of abolishing the tie while students are evenly divided concerning the introduction of crested shirts. Some people assume that girls are against the wearing of ties but in this school the senior girls are strongly against abolishing the tie while the junior girls have a majority in favour of abolition. The same pattern is seen among the boys, with an even larger majority among the seniors against abolition.

In the school as a whole, there is, however, approximately a two to one majority in favour of making the tie optional and having it confiscated if it is not worn neatly and with pride. Since this will only be done in the context of everybody wearing a crested shirt, it looks like we might introduce the three models of crested shirts while making the tie optional. Further discussion is necessary and no decision has been made.

Sample shirts are currently being made and we might be looking for some willing models after Christmas!!

Watch this space for a decision some time after Christmas!

Greenschools

Our very own waste crushing plant - Jack Kavanagh participating in the green schools project

The Greenschools project within the school is now fully mobilised with the introduction of paper recycling boxes throughout the school and plans to begin can recycling currently underway. It is being organised by a Transition Year group.

The paper recycling was introduced a number of weeks ago in order to tackle the paper waste problem which was endemic in the school being a school, paper waste was, perhaps, our largest environmental issue and we are confident that the recycling boxes which can be found in very classroom will reduce our waste output considerably. This is an enormous improvement, however everyone can help with the paper project by seeing if they can reduce and reuse paper before recycling.

We are also almost ready to introduce an aluminium can recycling system in the school. You will find can depositories dotted around the school and we are hoping that their unusual shape will mean people are more likely to use them. We would like to thank Mr. Dolan’s second and fourth year classes for their design and construction and hope that when they are introduced that people will make use of them.

We have other exciting projects planned; Form 3F are currently carrying out a litter survey. The Special Education Department has a collection point for used batteries on the C-Floor; the office is collecting printer cartridges for the Jack and Jill Foundation. We are hoping to make this a school-wide project so if there are any ideas for the project or how you can get involved, don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Irwin in C5 or Mr. Dolan in the T block. This has been a very good beginning to a very worthwhile project and we would like to thank you, the students and staff for all your support.

Eoin Silke, on behalf of the TY Greenschool Group.

Simon Community Christmas food collection

This is the last week for bringing in foodstuffs. Please try and remember! Non-perishable items such as tea, coffee, soups, tins are ideal. Please bring your contribution to A4. Thanks!

Valerie Sexton, Carl McHugh (3)

Sport this week

SCT, 2nd XV Kilkenny Wed 15 Home 2.30

JCT A,B King's Hospital Wed 15 Palmerstown 2.30

U 14 A,B CUS Wed 15 Bird Ave 2.30

U 13 A,B Wesley Wed 15 Ballinteer 2.30

SCT Campbell Wed 29 Home 1.30

SCT St Mary's Sat 8 Jan tbc tbc

2nd XV St Mary's Sat 8 Jan tbc tbc

Jun A (L) Loreto Foxrock Wed 15 Home 2.00

Jun 4th yr (L) Loreto Foxrock Wed 15 Home 3.00

In rugby, the SCT beat Sligo Grammar School 19-5. In girls hockey, the Junior A and Minor C won against Wesley. The 1st Yr B and Junior B drew against Wesley. The 1st yr B won against Manor House Raheny. In boys basketball, the Under 16 beat Gort Community School 64-44 in the all Ireland qualifier.