Model United Nations

On a chilly Saturday morning, High School students representing Argentina, Ireland, Lesotho and Vietnam arrived at Dublin Airport for the 11 o’clock flight to London in order to take part in the Royal Russell School International Model United Nations. Upon arriving at the school we were all taken aback by the large grounds and buildings but there was little time to look around as we had to lobby our resolutions in order to get the required amount of signatures in order for our resolutions to get debated in our committees. That night we had to attend opening ceremonies that lasted three hours in an extremely warm Great Hall.
The following day began with a multi-denominational service in the school chapel after a hearty breakfast. We then began our committee meetings at nine o’clock; these gave each country an opportunity to speak on issues relating to their committee name such as Human Rights or Disarmament. Out of the seven High School resolutions that were debated in committees, two passed and one got debated in the General Assembly. These figures are a HUGE achievement as it was many delegates first conference. When the highly commendable resolution of Julie Farrell was to be debated a confident yet fairly hoarse Julie stepped up to the podium and delivered a passionate speech asking nations to support her resolution on combating child mortality. With support speeches from Brazil and Haiti this resolution passed with a comfortable majority.
General Assembly sessions gave delegates an opportunity to speak in front of hundreds of people and this opportunity was taken by many High School students whose points left the opposition baffled in many cases. Nightly discos gave us a chance to mingle with people from all over the world including Japan, U.S.A., and many other countries. One of these discos had a traffic light theme when much to Ms. Rellis’s disappointment we didn’t choose High School colours but instead opted for a much more resounding green theme. We have good memories of our Model United Nations experience which include new friends and two distinguished delegate awards but every trip has its moments we would rather regret like an Argentinean delegate stating its geological position of being on the east coast of South Africa (cringe).
Mark Horgan
 

Habitat for Humanity bake sale

The sale was a great success, with a total of €241.84 raised. We would like to thank those who baked for us, who gave up their time to help at the sale and everyone who supported us by buying our cakes!
Nicole Campbell, Aoife Kearney

Young Scientist Competition

Congratulations to Sadhbh Soper Ni Chafraidh (5RM) and John Swanwick (1Q) whose projects have been accepted for the 2009 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition at the RDS. This year an all time record 1,616 projects were entered and only 500 projects qualified to compete.
Sadhbh's project is to investigate online social networks and social skills, while John's project will consider how biodiversity could be increased in Dublin gardens.    Dr C. Whitford

Junior drama

The first meeting this year is on Tuesday 11 November 4.00 p.m. to 5.30, assembling in the front hall. This year, rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Scholarships

Congratulations Rowan Lacey, Daniel James and Conor James who have all achieved scholarships into UCD.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

On 22 October, Melanie and Rita paid First Year a visit from the Irish Guide Dogs Association. They talked about how guide dogs are trained to ignore all distractions in everyday life, and Rita showed us that there was little a person with perfect sight could do that a blind person could not - including driving a car! We thank Rita and Melanie for coming in and hope that they will be back next year. There are calendars and Christmas cards on sale at the moment and all proceeds go to the Association.
Mike Dolan

Inter Schools Show Jumping

There is a competition at Killossery Lodge Stud, Swords, on Sunday 30 November. Closing date for entries is 19 November, €80 per team, €20 individual. As we do not have a teacher in charge of horse jumping it is necessary for a parent to take charge of any group who may wish to enter. More information and entry form from Mrs Sadlier in the office.

Prize Day & Parents' Evening

Prize Day and Parents' Evening, which had to be postponed due to the emergency closure, will take place on Wednesday 12 November at 8.00 p.m. (please be seated by 7.50 p.m.). This year, the guest speaker will be David Went, Chairman of The Irish Times. There will also be performances by a choir and by the orchestra.
The parents of prize winners have received a written invitation but other parents and pupils are also welcome to attend. Supper is served afterwards. Pupils attending must wear full winter uniform, including school jumper.

Form 1 Home Economics breakfast

Careers exhibition - forms 4,5,6

On Thursday 13 November 2008, 7.30p.m. to 9.00p.m. there is a Careers exhibition being held in St Killian's German School, Clonskeagh. This exhibition has been organised by a group of Guidance Counsellors from the local schools including The High School. All of the Universities, Institutes of Technology, and Senior Colleges from the Dublin area will be represented on the evening.
What makes this exhibition different from others is that there are current students on the various courses available for questions on the evening. Admission to the exhibition is free to the senior students of The High School. A full ground plan of all represented colleges and further details are available from Ms. Jones. This is a very good opportunity to find out more about courses and colleges in an efficient and time saving way. I would encourage as many people (both parents and students) to attend as possible.
Thelma Jones
 

Fixtures and training this week

Girls hockey
Min B (L) St Andrew's Wed 12 Home 3.15
Jun A, 1st Yr A St Gerard's Wed 12 Away 2.15
Min A, 1st Yr C St Gerard's Wed 12 Away 3.15
Saturday matches vs Muckross still to be arranged - check noticeboards
Girls basketball
U 16 St Andrew's Tues 11 Away 4.15
U 19 St Andrew's Tues 11 Away 5.15
U 16 St Columba's Tues 18 Away 3.15
Rugby
1st XV St Andrew's Wed 12 Home 2.30
Jun Kilkenny Wed 12 Away 2.30
U 13 A, B St Andrew's Wed 12 Home 2.30
Results - well done!
In rugby the Juniors beat King's Hospital 14-12. In girls basketball the Under 16 beat Mount Anville 39-28 and the Under 19 beat Mount Anville 41-21. In girls hockey, the Minor A beat Rathdown 4-0 in the league, the Senior 1 drew 1-1 against Wesley, the Senior 2 drew 1-1 in the league against Our Lady's Terenure, the Junior drew 1-1 against Our Lady's Terenure, 1st Year drew 1-1 against Loreto Tullamore in the league. Against King's Hospital, the Seniors won 4-1, the Senior 2 3-1, the Minor A 3-0 and the Junior B 2-0.
Tracksuits
The new delivery of tracksuits will arrive on Friday 14 November. Any pupil who is due to receive one, please see Mr Walker on or after that date. Apologies for the delay.
R. Walker