JCT win first cup match

A cup game never to be forgotten by anyone who was there: nerve jangling, heart wrenching nail biting stuff that came down to the last kick of the game.
The massive tackle by Darragh Kiernan from the kick off set the tone of a very physical game where High School managed early on to score two penalties from the boot of Dean Kilroy. CUS gained a lot of possession in the first half and despite gallant defence by High School, CUS crossed over for a try at the end of the half to leave the score 6-5 going into the break
The second half saw CUS continue to attack through the pack and they crossed over again early in the second half to make it 10-6 to CUS. A further penalty gave them a seven point lead. High School dragged themselves back into the game with some great runs from Daniel Holder, Paul McCarthy and Eamon O’Sullivan and Kilroy scored a deserved penalty to bring the scores to 13-9. Buoyed on by some great displays by captain Gavin Power, flanker John Hackett and prop Richie Beverland High School continued to apply pressure on CUS. A superb throw from Tim Harding, catch from Shane Smith and a drive from what looked like the whole team brought a try for Power which was converted by Kilroy to leave the team three points up with 10 minutes remaining.
The last ten minutes were full of action as CUS kicked off and pushed for a try. They scored another unconverted try to leave the team down by two with 3 minutes to go. High School began to push up the field and won a number of penalties that were kicked into the corner. Again, Power, Harding and Smith were immense and after winning a line out tried to push over the line but CUS conceded a penalty. With the last kick of the game, Kilroy held his nerve to score the penalty and win by the smallest of margins!

Calendar changes

Please note that all remaining parent-teacher meetings this year will be held during school hours due to industrial action by members of the ASTI, not as advertised on the calendar.
The staff meeting scheduled for Monday 25 January is being cancelled in order to maximise teaching time following the snow closures, so school will close at the normal time on 25 January.

Swimming

The High School performed very well at the Leinster schools swimming gala in December, represented by Eva Martin & Jonah Clegg (1st year), Eva Barrett & Ann Marie Finn (2nd year), Dayna Clegg (3rd year), Niamh Murphy & John Martin (4th year). All swam very well, some achieving medals in the finals. The girls relay teams won Gold in both the Junior and Senior events. The senior event was a great performance as 3 of the team are actually junior and intermediate swimmers! Well done and best of luck to those who are travelling to Cork to represent the school in the Irish Senior schools gala in February.

Guitar lessons

A new 10 week course will begin next Tuesday. Details available from Deborah in the office for interested pupils.

Habitat for Humanity wristbands

These are currently available during senior lunch and Wednesday/Thursday junior break at €2 for a very good cause. Students involved in Habitat raise money during the year to pay for flights to a distant country where they spend their Easter holidays building a house for a needy family.

Safety and courtesy

Please be careful when cycling, driving and walking near the school. Protective, high visibility gear should be worn when appropriate.
Please do not drive or cycle on Zion Road at high speed to reduce the risk of accidents and take due care at the junction of Zion Road and Bushy park Road. Please also be mindful of the rights of our neighbours.

Christmas food collection

I would like to say thank you to you all for donating such large amounts of food for the homeless before Christmas. The food was donated straight to people in Dublin without a home and others in need. Thank you to the supervisors for letting us use their room to hold all the donations and to Ms. Pearce for organising a sale selling Fair Trade items from which €100 was given to the Salvation Army and €200 to the Simon Community.
Thank you to all the 4th years who volunteered to help collect and organise the food, and a VERY big thank you to the teachers for the huge help and the inspiration for the project.
Cormac Jordan 4W

Fixtures and training this week

Rugby
1st XV (C) Skerries CC Wed 20 Malahide 2.30
2nd XV (L) CBC Monkstown Sat 23 Monkstown 11.00
U 14 A, B Blackrock Sat 23 Away 11.00
U 13 A, B Castleknock Sat 23 Away 11.00
Buses for the SCT cup match will leave school at 1.00 p.m. Wednesday
The next JCT cup match is scheduled for Monday 25 January.
Boys hockey
U 13 (C) King's Hospital Wed 20 Home 2.15
U 13 (L) St Andrew's Fri 22 Home 4.30
Girls hockey
Min A (C) Wesley Wed 20 Home 3.00
Jun A (1/4 final) Wesley Wed 20 Wesley 3.00
Jun B (play off) Mt Anville Wed 20 Home
1st Yr A (L) St Andrew's Fri 22 Home 2.45
Sen 1 (C) Alexandra Fri 22 Home 4.30
Min B Holy Child Killiney Sat 23 Away 9 tbc
Sen 2 Our Lady's Terenure Sat 23 Away 11.00
Jun A Mt Anville Sat 23 Away 10.00
Block vs Mt Sackville to be confirmed
Results - well done!
In girls hockey Senior 1 drew with Wesley 0-0.