Montgomery science awards

When she died, Helen Montgomery left a sizeable legacy to the school and asked that we inaugurate a prize connected to the promotion of science in memory of her brother Edward Montgomery, a past pupil. The Montgomery Science Awards have now been initiated in the form of a compulsory competition assignment for all fifth year pupils taking any science subject. They are to submit properly researched and presented scientific essays. There will be four first prizes of €250 and four second prizes of €150 awarded annually if sufficient merit is shown. These will be distributed among the subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with two prizes each in Physics and Chemistry and four prizes in Biology to reflect the larger number of pupils taking Biology. The awards will be made at Prize Day. The Science staff have distributed a detailed briefing sheet to the pupils concerned and the assignment will be completed during the month of January each year. This is an important new awards scheme and the renewed emphasis it will bring to science is welcome.

JCT defeat Skerries

Another nail-biter; another narrow victory. High School progressed to the semi-final of the Father Godfrey Cup with a 13-12 win over Skerries Community College. On a windswept pitch beside the airport, High School were quickly under the cosh as Skerries used their large forwards to move up the pitch. This pressure was finally relieved and High School began to dominate both in the forwards and in the backs. Mid-way through the first half, a well worked try from flanker John Hackett was left unconverted to open High School’s account. Skerries came back into contention with a rather fortuitous try that was converted to leave High School 7-5 in arrears. High School continued to play the better rugby and the pressure on the Skerries line was rewarded with a converted penalty from Dean Kilroy just before the break.
The second half was dominated largely by Skerries as High School made hard work for themselves by giving away possession and penalties. Another try put the opposition 12-5 up with 15 minutes to go. As in the previous round, High School showed great character by making their way up the field and scoring another try, again by John Hackett. The conversion was missed but the score was now 13-12 in favour of High School. Not content with calmly playing out the game, High School contrived to give opportunity after opportunity to Skerries to win the game but they politely and considerately refused. Next up is St. Pat’s Navan for a place in the final.

Under 16 girls badminton team in the final

Congratulations to the Under 16 girls badminton team who beat St Joseph's Cluny in the semi-final of their cup competition to reach the final against Gormanston College.

Swine flu precautions

Influenza infections normally peak in February, so please keep the "swine" flu precautions going for another month at least. All variants of flu are unpleasant so it is in everybody's interest to keep disinfecting your hands and to stay at home if you develop a fever. If "swine" flu is confirmed it is still mandatory that you stay at home for a full week from the beginning of the infection.

Art awards

The above picture won one of the art awards this year.  It was painted by Josh Purcell, Form 6.

Fixtures and training this week

Rugby
2nd XV St Mary's Liverpool Sat 6 Home 10.00
JCT B (L) Gonzaga Wed 3 Away 2.30
U 14 Terenure Sat 6 Lakelands 10.00
U 13 A, B Willow Park Sat 6 Home 10.00
Girls hockey
1st Yr A (1/4 final) Wesley Wed 3 Home 3.00
1st Yr B (1/4 final) St Raphaela's Wed 3 Home 2.00
Min C, Sen 3 Wesley Wed 3 Away 3.00
Sen 4 Wesley Wed 3 Away 2.00
Jun A (C) Mt Anville Sat 6 Away 11.30
Sen A (Plate) Loreto Green Sat 6 Home 9.30
Min C Loreto Green Sat 6 Home 9.00
Min B St Raphaela's Sat 6 Home 11.00
Sen 4 St Raphaela's Sat 6 Home 11.00
 

Boys hockey
Minor (C) Dundalk Wed 3 Home 1.15
Results - well done!
By beating Skerries in the Fr Godfrey cup, the JCT rugby team has qualified to play Clongowes in the Leinster Junior Cup on Wed 9 February in Suttonians RFC - we wish them good luck in the match. In girls hockey the 1st Year A beat Loreto Beaufort 3-1, the Junior B beat St Andrew's 4-2 and the Senior 1 beat Sutton Park 3-1 in the league. In boys hockey the Minors drew 0-0 vs Drogheda and in the senior cup High School beat Mt Temple 4-3 after penalty strokes.