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

Welcome back!

Welcome back to the new school year.

The Principal, in his opening remarks to the first assembly of the year, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities available in the school, pointing out that those who do tend to have a happier and more fulfilled experience here. However, it is also important, particularly in Form 1, not to take on too much at once. Two major activities are generally enough to begin with.

During the summer, Mr K. Mills resigned as a teacher of Physics and Mathematics and we wish him well in his new career.

Individual letters or contributions to the newsletter are always welcome. They must be signed and left in the appropriate box outside the office before 10.30 a.m. on a Monday for that week's newsletter. Why not write a report on your match or activity? Submit a photo too! Cartoons drawn by pupils which we publish attract a €7 prize - they should be drawn on white, unlined paper in black biro or dark pencil.

Bronze medal in international biology olympiad

Well done to Paul Webster who won the bronze medal at the Biology World Olympiad Championships during the summer! Paul writes:

"This summer hundreds of the world's nerdiest secondary school students converged in Minsk, Belarus, for the international biology olympiad. I was deemed geeky enough to participate after winning a gold medal at the Irish biology olympiad in December.

After a week of training with our tutors Liz Touhy and Sharon Stapleton, we travelled to Belarus under the care of Mr Michael Cotter and Dr Richard O'Kennedy. We experienced many important aspects of the Belarussian culture, including steak, salt, dill, cockroaches, dancing and numerous national parks. We were even welcomed by the Belarussian President. As a result of the competitive practical and theoretical biology tests I was awarded a bronze medal.

It was a most enjoyable and rewarding experience and I learned as much about other cultures as I did about biology. Many thanks to all who made this trip possible."

Welcome new teachers!

Ms L. Watson, Mr M Healy, Ms D. Thorp, Ms P. Bena Hanly

Transition Year outdoor education

All students allocated a place on the outdoor education course must attend a meeting today, Tuesday 9 Sept. in B8 at 11.00 a.m. You will receive further details and a consent form which must be returned to the office by 1.55 p.m. on Friday 12 Sept. The balance of the cost of the trip must be paid by this time also.

Transition Year global community projects

TY students are reminded that the opportunity exists this year to take part in one of three Global Community projects - Operation Christmas Child, Fair Trade Christmas Fair and the Aqua Box Appeal. Any student who would like to apply to take part or who simply wants more information should attend a meeting in the Demonstration Theatre (A2) at 1.15 p.m. on Monday 15 September 2003. Please note that this is the meeting originally scheduled for Friday 12 September.

Calculators

The type of calculator preferred by the The High School Maths teachers is the Casio fx-83 or fx-85. These are the ones to get if you are buying one. It is easier to teach calculator use if all the pupils have the same one. But if you already have a scientific calculator of a different type there is no need to spend money changing it. We would prefer Form 1 pupils not to have a calculator. Leave it to Form 2. Calculators are permitted in the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate examinations.

Supervised study

This has commenced after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Demonstration Theatre. Details are available from Miss Garvey (staff room).

Initiative awards

These are awarded at the Prize Distribution and are open to pupils of Forms 3 to 6. They are awarded to between 0 and 3 students who have shown initiative, organisational ability or administrative ability in starting or promoting a school activity.

To be eligible for a prize a student must be nominated in writing by two other students with a short statement of the reasons for the nomination. Please give nominations to Ms Saville (A10).

Art portfolio club

Art portfolio classes are available on Tuesdays from 4.00 to 5.20 p.m. with Ms Galligan in C 13, for students in Forms 5 and 6.

Form 1 activities list

Rugby - Saturdays 10.00-11.30, Wednesday afternoon 2.00-3.30 p.m. approx. (Mr Gill A 21, Mr O'Hanlon B6)

Boys' hockey - Tuesday after school to 5.30 p.m. and some Wednesday afternoons. (Mr D. Miller B7)

Girls' hockey - Friday and/or Monday after school to 5.30 p.m. (Mrs Mellon - Gym)

Badminton - Tuesday afternoon to 5.30 p.m. (Ms Hennessy B24)

Athletics - Monday afternoon to 5.00 p.m. (Mr Irwin C5)

Boys' basketball - will be either on Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning, further information from Mr Walker at the staff room or the Gym. This activity is still being arranged - listen for announcement in assembly for start date.

Girls' basketball - This activity is still being arranged - listen for announcement in assembly for start date. (Mrs Kavanagh, Mrs Mellon)

Canoeing - Saturday 8.45-10.15 a.m. (Ms Toolan, T 2)

Caving - occasional, by application after assembly announcements (Mr Wright B1)

Hillwalking - occasional, by application after assembly announcements (Mr Cryan T3 and Mr Blackmore C6)

Swimming - Tuesday - 6.00 p.m. to 6.45 p.m., Terenure College ( Ms Jones - Guidance office C floor)

Table-tennis - Reynolds Hall, Mondays 4.00-5.00 p.m. (Mr Sheridan)

Drama - This activity is still being arranged - listen for announcement in assembly for start date.

Photography - Thursday 4.00-5.20 C13 (Ms Galligan C13)

Matches and competitions are additional to the above. Arrangements are subject to change from time to time.

Sport this week

1st, 2nd XV Templeogue Wed 10 Home 3.00

JCT A,B Templeogue Wed 10 Templeogue 3.00

U 14A St Gerard's Wed 10 Bray 3.00

3rd XV Templeogue Sat 13 Templeogue 11.00

4 teams of 1st year for 6 a side tournament, Wesley away, Wed 10, 2.00

Minor C Wesley Wed 10 Away 2.00

1st XI Wesley Wed 10 Away 3.00

Junior (3rd yr)Wesley Wed 10 Away 3.00

Min A, 2nd XI Wesley Wed 10 Home 2.00

Min B, 3rd XI Wesley Wed 10 Home 3.00

Jun A Beaufort Sat 13 Away 9.15

Jun B Beaufort Sat 13 Away 10.15

Jun C Beaufort Sat 13 Away 11.15

1st XI, MinB Beaufort Sat 13 Home 9.15

3rd XI, MinA Beaufort Sat 13 Home 10.15

2nd XI, MinC Beaufort Sat 13 Home 11.15

Results - 2nd XI and Minor B won against Alexandra - well done!

Form 1 High School cross-country championships take place on Wednesday 17 at 1.30 - everyone welcome for a fun run!

Begins on Tuesday 16 September in Terenure College pool. Forms 1 and 2 from 6.00 to 6.45 p.m., forms 3 to 6 from 6.45 to 7.30 p.m. This is a recreational swim and new swimmers are welcome. (Ms Jones, C floor)

President's Award group, Wed.10 1.30-2.30 p.m. (Mr Swan B3)

Hillwalk on Sunday 14th, leaving the school at 9.30 a.m. sharp, returning 4.00 p.m. approx. Information and consent forms from Mr Cryan, T3.