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

Under 14 basketball national title

On 12 May, the boys Under 14 basketball team played against Knockbeg College, Carlow, in the All-Ireland final match in the National Basketball Arena.

Knockbeg were a strong team and had a clear height advantage. However, we went into the match knowing it would be tough and we needed to play well. By the end of the first quarter we were winning 8-2 but by the end of the first half Knockbeg had fought back to make the score 12-10 to us. Our defence wasn't as strong in the third quarter but brilliant shooting from Conor James kept us in the game, with the score 19-19 going into the last quarter. Good defending from both teams made it an even match but after a tense last few minutes we won 23-21.

The whole team would like to thank Mr Boylan, Mr Walker and all of the supporters.

2G interview with Rodl

On Thursday 13 May 2G interviewed Rodl, one of High School's cleaning staff. Rodl is from a small town in the Phillipines called Probines. He came to live in Ireland with his brother in August 2001 and has been working in High School for three years. He got the job through an agency and he enjoys it a lot as the staff and pupils are friendly. Before he came to Ireland he worked in a casino in the Philippines.

He says life in general is better here, the people are friendly and he has a higher salary. When asked about the weather here he said "Not too bad"! (in comparison with the humid weather in the Phillipines). Rodl told us he would like to travel around Ireland when he gets the time. He enjoys playing basketball and chess and he likes to watch Gaelic football and "Eastenders" on TV. He supports Man U and his favourite actor is Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Rodl told us he visits the Philippines every year but he still misses his family and he hopes to find work there and return home permanently in the future. We would like to thank Rodl for taking the time to talk with us, Miss Graham for helping us with the interview and Mr Prendergast for taking the photos.

Transition Year trip to France

It all began when Mr Giles had the crazy idea of taking a group of Transition Year students to Paris; that's how it came to pass that on Friday 7 May 21 students with Mr Giles and Ms Hennessy set off.

We arrived at Beauvais airport and then took a bus, the metro and a train to our hotel. We ditched the bags and were set loose in Paris to find food. The next day we breakfasted on French bread and coffee. We then went out in the pouring rain to walk along the Seine and queue up for the Musee D'Orsay, after which we were unleahsed once again on an unsuspecting capital city. After various visits to the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Pompidou Centre, La Defence and several other tourist traps, we regrouped miles away from anywhere, on a bridge, to take a "Bateau Mouche" along the Seine.

After our boat trip it was still raining and it wasn't long before the weather drove us back to the hotel. Our last day, Sunday, also had terrible rainy, foggy weather. What better time to ascend the Eiffel Tower? Visibility was poor and prices were high but it was an experience none the less. We then travelled due east to Notre Dame where we spread out, in usual plague-like fashion, for lunch.

When all were full and penniless (expensive city don;t you know), we took another metro to Gare du Nord and a train to the bus station. We arrived in Dublin none the worse for our ordeal.

We would like to thank Mr Giles and Ms Hennessy for a great trip!

Cricket selections

Steven Walsh, Niall McDarby, Ben Satchwell and Ross Johnson have been selected to trial for Leinster Schools cricket squad. Well done!

1st XI in cup final

Congratulations to the 1st XI boys cricket team who have reached the final of the Leinster Senior Cup to be played today (Tuesday) in Merrion C.C. vs CUS at 2.00 p.m.

Military history research

On Thursday 29 April, Laura-Anne Stewart, Manus Cronin and I went to Collins Barracks to take part in a research group. The National Museum of Ireland is opening a new military history exhibition there in 2005 and are researching the best way to put it together. We were shown a large amount of objects, documents and film reels and were asked what would be the best way to put them on display. All of us enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to the opening of the new exhibition.

Athletics

Congratulations to Leah Moore who on Wednesday last won the 100m Under 15 Leinster championship in Santry. She also anchored the Under 15 4x100m relay team to 2nd place in a very competitive Leinster final. The other members of this successful team were Valerie Sexton, Ciara Butler and Evanna Mills. The High School team will now go on to represent Leinster in the all-Ireland championships to be held in Tullamore on 5 June.

Parents' Association uniform shopping night - correction

The Parents' Association has arranged that a special shopping night will be held in the School Uniform Store on Thursday 19 August 2004 (not in the school as previously stated) from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. when items on the uniform list may be purchased. Unit 3, Cranford Centre, Montrose, Dublin 4, telephone 2830173, www.school-uniform-store.com

Transition Year driving lessons