Fairtrade Fair

Congratulations to all involved in the Fairtrade Fair on Saturday and thanks to all who came to buy goods, to enjoy coffee and delicious home made cakes and biscuits (even truffles!). The Fair was again a tremendous success, with a turnover of more than €5,200! But, what is Fairtrade?

International trade may seem a remote issue, but when commodity prices fall dramatically it has a catastrophic impact on the lives of millions of small scale producers, forcing many into crippling debt and countless others to lose their land and their homes. Too many farmers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop, because of the stranglehold on international trade held by huge global companies. The Fairtrade organisation aims to provide a more level playing field by providing a consistent market, paying fair prices and reinvesting in developing local communities.
Producers registered with Fairtrade Labelling Organisation receive a minimum price that covers the cost of production and an extra premium that is invested in the local community.

The good news is that sales across the 18 countries that license the FAIRTRADE Mark are growing at around 20% every year. In the majority of these countries, Fairtrade products are now mainstream products available in major supermarkets and independent shops and are beginning to gain substantial market shares.

In Ireland, YOU are part of the success story. All of the coffee used in The High School is now Fairtrade and we have a constant supply of Fairtrade snacks in the machine in the dining room which YOU are buying!! So, well done!!!
Remember - only products labelled with the Fairtrade mark are really Fairtrade approved.

Read more about it at www.fairtrade.ie www.tradejustice.ie www.makepovertyhistory.ie

Carol service

Monday December 12, Zion Parish Church, 8.00 p.m., mince pies in school afterwards - all welcome!

There will be rehearsals for those reading at the carol service during the next week. Please check the times on the door of A22.

Library committee Christmas fundraiser

This year the collection will benefit Dr Barnardo's, an organisation which helps children all over Ireland to have a better childhood. Please donate any loose change you may have and help to make this Christmas a little better for everyone. Mrs King will double whatever you donate!!

Young Scientist

Congratulations to Amy Hughes, Christine Rorke, Nicky Burns, and Sadhbh Ni Chafraidh on their selection for the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January 2006. Their projects are entitled "Susceptibility of organic fruit to infection by Botrytis Cinerea" and "High frequency hearing loss and age". 500 projects were selected from an all time record 1152 projects received from schools throughout Ireland.

Form 5 study skills seminar

The seminar will be held on Saturday 28 January at 9.30 a.m. Application forms have been sent out to all 5th year students and these should be completed and returned to the office by Friday 9 December. This is a very helpful one day seminar and all 5th year students are encouraged to attend.

Trinity College open day

Trinity is holding its open day for 6th year students on Wednesday 14 December. You should meet INSIDE the FRONT gates of Trinity at 9.00 a.m. and your attendance will be recorded. You should prepare in advance and know what questions you would like answered to achieve maximum benefit. Details of the career lectures and talks are listed on the Trinity College website www.tcd.ie - it is very important that you visit this website in advance of the open day so that you will not miss any talk relevant to your interests. You make your own way to and from Trinity and you are not required to wear uniform.
 

Simon Community food collection and cake sale

There are hundreds of people homeless and sleeping rough in Dublin, and these will be spending their Christmas on the streets. Every year there is a food collection organised by the school to bring food to the Dublin Simon Community shelters. Please bring in non-perishable food like tins, soup, tea, coffee, biscuits etc to A4 so that these people can have a good meal this Christmas. This year 3G is organising a cake sale to raise money for Simon, which will take place on Friday 9 December at 10.20 and 11.00.
Conor Craig and Peter Hunt 3G

Debate final

The junior debating competition began three weeks ago. We are having a team final on Friday 9 December. Good luck to the two teams and well done for reaching the final.

Amnesty             

Any pupils interested in being involved in an Amnesty group in the school please give your name to Mrs Hutchinson Edgar. There will be meetings every month for both seniors and juniors.

Concern fast     

Could all those who took part in the Concern fast please bring in the money collected by Friday 9 December to Mrs Hutchinson Edgar in A22. Thank you.

CAO evening for parents

The CAO evening listed on the school calendar for 5 December has already taken place in October. Please contact the Guidance Counsellors if you have any queries in relation to CAO or PLC applications.

Sport this week

Girls hockey
Jun B (L) Notre Dame Wed 7 Home 2.00
Sen I (L) Bray Wed 7 Home 3.00
1st Yr A Newpark Wed 7 Home 2.00
Jun A Newpark Wed 7 Home 3.00
1st Yr A (L) Teresians Fri 9 Teresians 4.00
Sen III (L) Loreto Dalkey Sat 10 Dalkey 10.00
Min B (L) Bray Sat 10 Bray 9.30
Check hockey noticeboard for Saturday matches vs Alex

Rugby
SCT CBC Wed 7 Monkstown 2.45
JCT A, B CBC Wed 7 Home 2.45
U 13 A, B CUS Wed 7 Home 2.45
SCT Sligo Grammar Sat 10 Sligo tbc
JCT A, B King's Hospital Sat 10 Home 2.00
U 13 A, B Gonzaga Sat 10 Home 11.00

School fleeces are now available from Mr Walker, sizes S,M,L,XL, €30