All Ireland Boys Hockey Championships

Well done to the High School Senior Boys Hockey team who participated in The All Ireland Schools Hockey Tournament before half term. The team, captained by Jonathan Walker can rightly be proud of their achievement in qualifying for the first time for this tournament but also having won two of their four matches in the process.
The team showed some nerves against last year’s runners up Banbridge Academy in the first game and conceded an early goal. The players quickly adjusted to the pace of the game and managed to create a couple of chances on the Banbridge goal during the course of the game. However Banbridge were to run out winners by three goals to nil.
The following day the team had to play back to back matches against Ashton School and Regent House School.
Ashton were made to work extremely hard for their victory and it was not until a minute before half time that the High School defence was breached. Ashton, previous winners of this competition ran in four goals in the second period but this was not a true reflection of the game.
Following a quick warm down and a hurried lunch the team were back out to play Regent House School in their final pool match. HSD rose to the challenge of competing at this level and James Barber’s two goals were due reward for a great all round squad display. Final score HSD 2 Regent House 1.
Following the tournament dinner (which 256 players attended) on Thursday evening we were drawn to play Raphoe School in our final match of the competition at the University of Limerick Sports Grounds. This match saw Shane O'Donohoe score a hat trick and James Baber score another in a four one win - a memorable way to wrap up a great tournament.

Prize Day & Parents' Evening

Prize Day and Parents' Evening, which had to be postponed due to the emergency closure, will take place on Wednesday 12 November at 8.00 p.m. (please be seated by 7.50 p.m.). This year, the guest speaker will be David Went, Chairman of The Irish Times. There will also be performances by a choir and by the orchestra.
The parents of prize winners have received a written invitation but other parents and pupils are also welcome to attend. Supper is served afterwards. Pupils attending must wear full winter uniform, including school jumper.

Emergency closure

We regret the emergency closure of the school prior to half term, which was due to a burst water main under the school damaging the boilers and electrical equipment, leading to the loss of heating, electrical power, water supply and sewage.
Most of the work to repair the serious flood damage has been completed, though not all. We are hoping to avoid further breakdowns but some disruption in the coming few weeks is still a possibility.

Scholarship

Congratulations to Ciara Butler who won a scholarship into NUI Maynooth based on the quality of her Leaving Certificate results.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

On Wednesday 22 October we were delighted to welcome Melanie and Rita to High School to talk to First Year pupils. From today we will be selling Christmas cards and calendars outside the Reynolds Hall in aid of the Guide Dogs. Please support this very worthwhile cause. (Photo above right)
Thank you - Amy Deverell and Aimee Bannister

Canoeing

Canoeing will resume on Wednesday 5 November. The next sessions are as follows:
Wed 5 Nov 1.30 - 3.00
Sat 8 Nov 9.30 - 11.00
Wed 12 Nov 1.30 - 3.00
Sat 15 Nov 9.30 - 11.00
Other sessions and river trips will be posted later in the term. To sign up, see the list on the noticeboard in the Technical Building.
C. Cryan

Captain America by Conor Frizzelle

Below - Mr Swan with a canoeing group

Fixtures and training this week

Girls hockey
Sen 1, 3 King's Hospital Wed 5 Home 2.15
Sen 2 King's Hospital Wed 5 Home 3.15
1st Yr A (L) Tullamore Wed 5 Away 2.00
1st Yr B, Jun C King's Hospital Wed 5 Away 2.15
1st Yr C, Jun B King's Hospital Wed 5 Away 3.15
Matches against Our Lady's Terenure on Saturday yet to be arranged
Boys hockey
Jun St Andrew's Wed 5 St Andrew's 4.15
Rugby
1st XV (L) De la Salle Wed 5 Away 2.30
U 14 A,B Kilkenny Wed 5 Away 2.30
U 13 A, B, C Templeogue Wed 5 Home 2.30
JCT King's Hospital Sat 8 Home 2.30
U 14 St Columba's Sat 8 Away 2.30
Results - well done!
In girls hockey, the Seniors beat Trinity Academy 5-2 and Inverleith 4-1 on their tour to Scotland. The Minor B beat Notre Dame 3-0 in the league, the Junior A beat Newpark 3-2 in the league and the Minor C beat Dalkey 1-0 also in the league. In rugby, the JCT beat Castleknock 47-5 and the Under 13 beat Sandford 31-7.