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

Excellent examination results - well done!

The students and teachers of The High School have not only maintained their terrific academic results this year, but have produced some of the best grades ever.

In the Junior Certificate, 133 pupils presented 1080 papers where different levels are available and 133 papers at common level (CSPE). 905 papers were taken at higher level and grade C or better was obtained in 85% of these. Grade E or less was obtained on 2.5% of all papers. When the number of papers gaining a grade C or better at higher level is taken as a percentage of the total number of papers, it (71%) represents the best set of Junior Certificate results the school has ever had, equalling our previous best of last year.

In the Leaving Certificate Examination, 2005, 119 pupils presented 837 papers in 21 subjects. 566 papers were taken at higher level and grade C or better was obtained in 77% of these. Grade E or less was obtained on 4.3% of all papers.

In recent months, newspapers have continued their steady agenda of trying to force schools into contributing to league tables of results. Along with every other body in Irish education, we do not believe raw league tables are a useful addition to educational debate because they isolate only one factor concerning a school. Pastoral care, extra-curricular activities, facilities, trips, codes of conduct, attitudes and whether students are happy at school are ignored by league tables. This is why such tables are illegal. We, therefore, are not going to contribute to the agenda of the media by publishing points averages.

However, we can inform you that we looked at the figures published in the newspapers last year and the points scored by our students compare very favourably with the schools published, and are better than any of the private grind schools and institutes published.

This does not surprise us, as we would have known our standards were that high over the years. However, it does show how poor the tables of college entry figures published by the newspapers have been. When the institutes have been placed near the top of these lists it has been purely because they have large numbers in their classes! Once the tables are adjusted for the size of the classes and turned into percentages, the institutes come way down the tables and below most of the private schools in our sector - certainly well below The High School. So, again, well done students and staff!

Congratulations to Ian Thom - maximum points!

Congratulations to Ian Thom who scored maximum points in the Leaving Certificate. Ian is pictured right at the Debs reception with Anna McCormick. Congratulations also to the many other students who almost reached the maximum and to all those who did their best and achieved worthy results. Hopefully you got the courses you wanted!

Prize Day

Prize Day and Parents' Evening will take place this year on Wednesday 26 October at 8.00 p.m. (please be seated by 7.50 p.m.).

The parents of prize winners will receive a written invitation but other parents and pupils are also welcome to attend. If you would like to come, please telephone the office by 24 October so that we know how many to expect. Supper is served afterwards. Pupils attending must wear full uniform, including school jumper.

Simon Community fun run

Well done to all who entered on Sunday. Sponsorship cards should be returned to Mr McClure in A4 by Friday 21 October.

CAO and 3rd level information evening

A reminder that this talk given by John McGinnity of the Admissions Office of NUI Maynooth takes place on Monday 17 October at 7.30 p.m. for parents of Forms 5 and 6. 200 people have signed to attend.

National swimming champion

Congratulations to Keith Gray who competed in the national swimming championships during the summer in Limerick, winning the gold medal in the Division 2 U15 100m breast stroke.

Winter uniform

School jumpers must be worn from Monday next 17 October 2005 until a date to be announced in the late spring. You are reminded that only formal shirts may now be worn - no polos. Only white t-shirts may be worn under the school shirt.

Fireworks

As explosive substances, fireworks (including bangers) are dangerous, illegal and can cause serious injury. Having anything to do with fireworks on the school premises (including possessing them) can lead to suspension from school. We ask for your cooperation.

Safety first

Please be aware of the need for road safety as the days gradually darken. Wear a reflective armband or harness over your uniform coat, cycle carefully and observe the stop sign at the end of Zion Road. Wear cycle helmets. Cross roads carefully. Stay alive and in one piece!!

Tennis champion

Sport this week

SCT (L) Newbridge Wed 12 Newbridge 2.30

U 16 (L) Castleknock Wed 12 Castleknock 2.30

JCT (L) A,B Newbridge Wed 12 Home (tbc) 2.30

U 14 B Sandford Wed 12 Ranelagh 2.30

U 13 A, B Kilkenny Wed 12 Home 2.30

Min A, C Kilkenny Wed 12 Home 2.00

Min B, 1st Yr Kilkenny Wed 12 Home 3.00

Sen II (L) Muckross Wed 12 Pembroke 4.15

Jun B (L) Mt Anville Sat 15 Mt Anville 9.00

Sen I, Min C Our Lady's Terenure Sat 15 Home 9.00

Min A, Sen III Our Lady's Terenure Sat 15 Home 10.00

Jun A, B, Sen I Wesley Wed 12 tba tba

Sen (C) St Oliver's Wed 12 Drogheda 11.00

Cadette St Wolstan's Tues 11 Arena 3.30

Sen Newpark Wed 12 Home 4.00

In rugby the Under 16 beat Kilkenny 20-12 in the league and St Michael's 13-12. The JCT A beat CUS 19-15 in the league. The U 13 beat Willow Park 57-12 and 22-12.

In girls hockey, Sen I and II and Junior A,B,C,D all won against Kilkenny. Sen III beat King's Hospital 4-0 in the league and Sen IV beat Mercy Coolock 3-0 in the league. Sen I beat Mt Sackville 1-0 in the league. Jun C beat St Dominican's Cabra in the league 6-0. Against Holy Child Killiney last Saturday Jun B won 2-0, Min A won 1-0, Min C drew 0-0, Sen II won 5-1 and Sen III won 2-1. The Jun A beat Alexandra 1-0.