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

Superb examination results!

The students and teachers of The High School have not only maintained their terrific academic results this year, but have produced some of the best grades ever.

In the Leaving Certificate Examination, 2004, 115 pupils presented 803 papers in 21 subjects. 507 papers were taken at higher level and grade C or better was obtained in 80% of these. Grade E or less was obtained on 1.74% of all papers. These results are among the best the school has ever had.

In the Junior Certificate, 134 pupils presented 1108 papers. 901 papers were taken at higher level and grade C or better was obtained in 87% of these. Grade E or less was obtained on 1% of all papers. When the number of papers gaining a grade C or better at higher level is taken as a percentage of the total number of papers, it (71%) represents the best set of Junior Certificate results the school has ever had, beating our previous best of last year.

In recent months, newspapers have continued their steady agenda of trying to force schools into contributing to league tables of results. Along with every other body in Irish education, we do not believe raw league tables are a useful addition to educational debate because they isolate only one factor concerning a school. Pastoral care, extra-curricular activities, facilities, trips, codes of conduct, attitudes and whether students are happy at school are ignored by league tables. This is why such tables are illegal. We, therefore, are not going to contribute to the agenda of the media by publishing points averages or the number of students scoring particular points levels.

However, we can inform you that we have looked at the figures published in the newspapers and the points scored by our students compare very favourably with the schools published, and are better than any of the private grind schools and institutes published.

This does not surprise us, as we would have known our standards were that high over the years. However, it does show how poor the tables of college entry figures published by the newspapers have been. When the institutes have been placed near the top of these lists it has been purely because they have large numbers in their classes! Once the tables are adjusted for the size of the classes and turned into percentages, the institutes come way down the tables and below most of the private schools in our sector - certainly well below The High School. So, again, well done students and staff!

3rd level scholarships

Congratulations to Catherine Jones who has been awarded a scholarship to NUI Maynooth, and to Jennie Carr, Stephen Mahon, Padraic Smith and Lyndsey Watson who have been awarded Entrance Exhibitions to Trinity College, Dublin. All of the awards are on the basis of the excellence of their Leaving Certificate results. Results of other colleges have not yet been notified to us.

Form 6 biology trip to Botanic Gardens

On Thursday 21 October, Mr Gill's 6th year biology class went on a field trip to the Botanic Gardens. One of the aims of the trip was to observe the great genetic diversity of plants in the context of their biological family groupings. During the visit we saw a giant African water lily, a cork oak tree (Quercus suber), the bark of which is used to make corks for wine bottles and the tallest tree in the Botanic Gardens which is a giant redwood. There is also an area in the gardens where poisonous plants are grown including the deadly giant hogweed which grows commonly along the river banks of Ireland. We visited the Herbarium where plant specimens and seeds are stored for study. As well as the larger plants we got to see a display of arctic alpine plants which we all recognised from our trip to the Burren last year. We also visited the newly restored palm house. We had a very productive trip and thanks to Mr Gill!

After match drinks!

You are reminded that the school provides refreshments in the pavilion after matches on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. Teams please bring your opposition guests up for refreshments and team coaches please bring opposition members of staff up too!

Supervisor required

We currently require a supervisor for corridors, grounds and to substitute for absent teachers. As we have to maintain a balance of male and female supervisors we are likely to recruit a male supervisor on this occasion. Applications in writing only to the Principal, please, as soon as possible, with full CV and names, addresses, telephone numbers of two referees. Applicants will be required to undergo a Garda security clearance.

It was a great night.....I can't remember a thing

Alcohol can make you feel more confident but it can also wreck your judgement.

• Drinking too much too fast too often can mean:

• You're more likely to puke over yourself or your friends

• You're more likely to be embarrassed

• You're more likely to make a complete fool of yourself

• You're more likely to lose control

• You're more likely to get fat

• You're more likely to get in trouble with the law

• You're more likely to take sexual risks

• You're more likely to have an accident

Some tips:

• Know what alcohol can do to you

• Don't be pressurised into drinking more than you intend

• A good social life can be enjoyed without alcohol

• Slow down, what's the rush, enjoy the com pany

• Space your alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or a soft drink

• Eat before you drink

• Avoid drinking games or competitions

Sport this week

SCT (L), 2ndsPres. Bray Wed 10 Home 2.30

JCT A,B Pres Bray Wed 10 Bray 2.30

U 14 A,B St Andrew's Wed 10 Booterstown 2.30

JCT A,B Blackrock Sat 13 Blackrock 11.00

U 14 A,B Blackrock Sat 13 Home 11.00

U 13, A,B,C Willow Park Sat 13 Home tbc

Jun B, Min A St Andrew's Wed 10 Home 2.00

1st Yr B St Andrew's Wed 10 Home 3.00

1st XI (L) Muckross Wed 10 Pembroke 4.00

Jun C (L) King's Hospital Wed 10 Home 3.00

1st Yr A,B Loreto Beaufort Fri 12 Home 3.30

1st XI (L) Holy Child Killiney Sat 13 Away 9.00

Min A (L) St Gerard's Sat 13 Away 10.00

2nd XI (L) Mt Sackville Sat 13 Home 11.15

Jun B (L) Rathdown Sat 13 Home tbc

3rd XI, Jun A, Min B,C, 1st Yr vs Alexandra Sat 13 times to be confirmed

U 13 St Andrew's Wed 10 Away 3.15

U 13 Taney Fri 12 Away 4.00

U 16 Templeogue Tues 9 Arena 4.00

U 19 Tallaght C.S. Wed 10 Tallaght 2.00

U19 St Benildus Thurs 11 Stillorgan 3.30

U 16 Terenure Mon 15 Whitehall Rd 2.00

In girls hockey, 1st year A, Junior A won against St Gerard's, Minor C drew. Junior A drew in the League with Mt Anville, 3rd XI, Junior C, Minor A, B, 1st Year A, B won against Our Lady's Grove. In boys hockey, the 1st XI beat Drogheda Grammar 5-1 and the Under 14 and Under 13 both beat St Columba's. In rugby, U 13 A beat St Columba's 37-7. In boys basketball, U 16s beat Oatlands College.