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

ECDL

Congratulations to three Form 5 pupils who recently completed their European Computer Driving Licences in the 5V option.

As the ECDL website www.ecdl.ie explains: "The ECDL establishes standards for everyone who uses a computer in either a professional or a personal capacity. It is a certificate that verifies your competence, declares your computer skills, and makes you readily mobile within Irish business and across the Community. European employers and job seekers all agree on the need for this standard definition of practical competence in Information Technology."

"The European Computer Driving Licence builds around a special user-friendly skills card. This card records the skills you demonstrate in each of seven computer-related modules. As you pass each module successfully, the corresponding skill is noted in your card. The final achievement of a full card leads to the award of your licence.

The modules are:
Basic Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
Using a Computer & Managing Files
Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations
Information and Communication

All but the first module are tests of practical skills rather than of theory. Tests consist of tasks chosen at random from a store of typical day-to-day computer operations. The guiding principle is reality; the licence is a definition of your actual skills.

The seven tests may be taken in any order and over a period of time. All tests are free of any bias towards any computer producer or software product."

Under 14 boys basketball team in all Ireland finals

The Under 14 boys team progressed to the All Ireland final of the division C championship by winning three tough matches in Ballaghdereen, Co Roscommon. Our first match against Aquinas Belfast was very tense but we won by scoring a lot of points in the last quarter. Our next match against St Mary's Galway didn't go according to plan as we were trailing 16-3 by the end of the first quarter. Things got even worse as Daniel James had to go off with a nosebleed and for the last 4 minutes of the quarter we were forced to play with 4 men, although they coped brilliantly, conceding only 2 points. In the second half we picked up our game immensely and won by 7 points, with brilliant defence from Marc Evans and Gareth Austen.

This put us in the semi-finals where we faced a very strong St Nathy's team from Roscommon. Both teams went into the match undefeated. Good attacking and shooting from Conor James and Andrew Stevenson put us ahead by 1 point going into the second quarter. In that quarter great 3 point shooting from Daniel James put us in contention for the final as we finished level at half time.

In the second half more great 3 point shooting and strong defence from all players won us the game and a place in the All Ireland final. Well done to the whole team of Marc Evans, Gareth Austen, Brian Traynor, Daniel James, Luke Staines, Jack Kelly, Conor James, Ronan Fox, Andrew Stevenson and Coilin O'Connell and thanks to our coach, Mr J. Boylan, for helping us to get this far. The finals will be played in the national Basketball Arena.

Fashion Show

Tickets for this year's fashion show are now on sale. The show will take place on Wednesday 31 March at 7.30 p.m.. Tickets are €5 for students and €7 for adults. The fashion show team look forward to your support. Previous shows have been very entertaining and a great success.

Guide dogs for the blind

Summer music concert

The Music Department is pleased to present a concert on Tuesday 11 May at 7.30 p.m. in the Music Centre. Ticket arrangements will be announced later. Last year the concert was booked out, so, if you would like to come, please watch the newsletter for a further announcement.

Summer uniform

From today, summer uniform may be worn. This means that the jumper is optional and plain white polo shirts may be worn provided they have no logos. Shirts are to be worn tucked in. Winter uniform will operate again from a date to be announced in October.

Teacher absence

The higher than normal absence rate of teachers in recent weeks is largely due to Department of Education & Science inservice courses for new syllabi being introduced, and to certificate examination orals and practicals.

Accident - we need your help

A red Volkswagen Polo was damaged between 7.30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. on Monday 29 March. The car was parked on the playing field side of Zion Road. Anyone who knows anything about this or who saw what happened please contact Mr J. Davis, the Administrator.

Boys tennis tournament

Anyone wishing to enter the school tennis tournament should sign his name on the lists provided on the tennis noticeboard on the A corridor before the end of term.

Staff appointments

The following members of staff have been appointed to new positions beginning in September 2004 - Mr D. Wright Year Head Form 4, Mr D. Miller Year Head Form 6, Mr P. Irwin Transition Year Co-ordinator.

Our grateful thanks go to Ms C. Ritchie, Mr R. Miller and Mrs D. Larkin who previously held these positions.

Outstanding musical success

Congratulations to Robert Farhat on his recent successes in the Feis Ceoil. Robert won the Under 17 Piano Repertoire (Patricia Read Cup) and Piano A Under 17 (Isabel Bryan Spratt Memorial Cup). Robert will be performing in the Prize Winners Concert at the RDS on Sunday 4th April at 3.00 p.m.

We wish him luck, along with other pupils competing, in the remaining Feis Ceoil competitions.

Sport this week

Senior training begins Wednesday 31 March, weather permitting. All senior boys welcome to attend.

Table tennis champion

Congratulations to Matthew Leahy who is the table tennis champion for this year.  Matthew wins the Evans Cup.